[HomeBrew] Grounding Question

[Jeramy Thibodeaux]

Richard,

I second Jim's assesment.  But I would stay away from copper braid and use 
silver braid instead.  The military has used this type of braid with a star 
washer for years.  The corrosion is minimal compared to copper.  You can 
find this type of braid in a piece of high quality coax, but at $4.00+ per 
foot and minimum length orders , it may be cost prohibitive.  I think the 
key is to make the ground as wide and as short as possible.  While vehicle 
antenna grounding theories are sound, if we listen to the worry warts, we 
will never get on the air and talk.

Here is an example of the type of strap I am talking about.
http://www.ablewire-cable.com/tables/6168.html


Jeramy
kg4azt


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James C. Garland" <4cx250b at muohio.edu>
To: "R. Blackman" <richard.blackman at sympatico.ca>
Cc: "homebrew-mailman.qth.net" <homebrew at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2007 11:54 AM
Subject: Re: [HomeBrew] Grounding Question


> ** Please do NOT cross-post messages when posting to HOMEBREW **
>
> Hi Richard,
> IMHO, there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't use braid to ground 
> your mobile antenna, provided it is reasonably protected from the weather. 
> I've often put a sleeve around exposed braid using heat shrink tubing, 
> which can be obtained in large diameters.  Alternately, just taping the 
> braid with Scotch 88 electrical tape will keep water out.
>
> 73,
>
> Jim W8ZR
>