[Qcwa] Grounding of station

Wed, 16 Jan 2002 19:30:03 -0500

On Wed, 16 Jan 2002 13:21:45 -0500 "Keith Kotch" <[email protected]>
writes:
> I need some education about grounding station equipment.
> 
> Situation:
> This is our ARES radio room adjoining the EOC located on the 3rd 
> (top) floor
> of our Public Safety Building.  We have various assortment of 
> vhf/uhf gear,
> packet and HF.  I'm most concerned about there being no grounds on 
> our HF
> rig and it's affect on performance and safety.  Our HF antenna is a 
> trap
> dipole strung about 3' above the building roof.
>
There is probably no significant loss in terms of performance of the
equipment.
But if the electrical system gets a lightning strike,   you could be in
trouble.
If your water system is really metallic,  that might be the best you can
do
for the immediate future.  But beware of PVC water pipes,   inasmuch as
they 
are not normally conductive,   even when full of water.  I'd hope that
100 ft. 
of #4 stranded copper wire ($50 to $65) from your station area to a good 
true ground system at ground level could be arranged.  
                                        --   Alan,   KJ9N   
> Due to the location of the rig, what suggestions are there for 
> grounding it?
> Is it possible that lack of RF/DC ground is hampering the 
> performance of the
> HF?  Would an artificial ground be recommended here?
> 
> Keith, KF4BXT
> Seminole Co. ARES EC
> 
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