Finally, I Have An Outdoor Antenna... But How To Ground It?

[eyg2181]

well, i got the FMSS, and hooked it up. i was just wondering how i should ground it. (Lightening Proof Reasons)

Heres The Top Of It (a little over 21'):

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n313/eyg2181/antennainstallation002.jpg

Going Into The House:

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n313/eyg2181/antennainstallation003.jpg

The Whole thing, Top to Bottom (Rotate Image):

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n313/eyg2181/antennainstallation001.jpg

would it just be easier to hook up a switch, and switch it off when im not using the radio? just incase of lightening during the storms?

 

[BobOnTheJob]

Some DXer's disconnect the antenna when not in use and there's any chance of lightning...no doubt, that's the safest...if you follow through 100%. I leave all of my lines hooked up at all times. Working in broadcasting (where you can't disconnect the antennas during storms), I use the same techniques at home that I do in designing brodcast facilities...In this particular case, I would use a Radio Shack "static block" & ground it where it enters the house and I would make sure that it's ground point is the same as or bonded to the electrical service ground. That should keep lightning outdoors from my experience.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

well, i got the FMSS, and hooked it up. i was just wondering how i should ground it. (Lightening Proof Reasons)

There are two reasons to ground - one is lightning, the other is to get more gain. A lightning arrestor will protect you better than grounding, and will be good for nearby - but not direct - strikes. I see a tree nearby. Your antenna will probably not get hit. The tree will offer some real protection because lightning will hit it first. But your antenna is more conductive so you still aren't 100% safe.

With a low gain antenna like that, you probably don't need to ground for more gain. I had a lot of benefit when I was over 300 miles out from the stations I wanted to hear, and used a huge yagi. I pounded a piece of rebar into the ground and ran an aluminum ground wire to the boom of the antenna. It helps a lot.

 

[DXMeister]

I've been thinking about getting one but I don't know expensive it is for all antenna, wiriing and equipment..or even how to wire one correctly.

 

[eyg2181]

thank you all for the replies. i will have to look into the static block and the lightening arrestor. im new to the whole dxing thing. i think its awesome. and in the summertime especially, since i got WZXL almost everynight with the dipole i had set up, now with this thing, who knows what will come on over.

and DXMeister, heres the link. the instructions come with it (obviously). i found it rather easy to install. the antenna is cheap for the quality. mine works great.

heres where i got it from.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTENNACRAFT-FMSS-FM-ANTENNA_W0QQitemZ290196768867QQihZ019QQcategoryZ20383QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

you will need 2 of these, one for the top of the antenna itself, and one to plug the coaxil cable in to the back of your receiver (unless you radio has an antenna input thal looks like one on a tv,then you only need one for the top of the antenna i think its called a coaxil...not sure though.

i couldnt find ta picture of the actual item, so i sketched my own here. these can be picked up at your local hardware store for about 2 bucks. when you see this you'll know exactly what im talking about, youve all seen them before

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n313/eyg2181/adapter.jpg

that should do it, other than a whole bunch of cable to run from the antenna to the stereo, and a high pole or wall, or structure, or even a tree to put it in/on. i reccomend a pole like i have.

oh, and dont forget the static block and/or the lightening arrestor as mentioned above (if you dont have this, just unplug the antenna (like i did) or hook up a switch to turn it off)