antenna mounting

crapfase · 02-06-2004

i was wondering if the kind of pole/mast i use to mount my antenna (enterasys 7dbi omni) can affect the signal in any way.

i bought a copper tube about 5 feet long and spray painted it cause it was only $3. the manual for my antenna calls for non corrosive/ galvanized/stainless steel contruction pipe with lightning pretection. it mentions static built up if not grounded and i was kinda concerned about my computer getting zapped through the pci card.

is it just unsafe to use copper pipe with no grounding system or can i just rig a ground? (there is rubber padding between the antenna mount and pole so i guess it isint grounded like that)

also the antenna is not on a roof but next to my house ground level if that matters.

thanks for any advice/

wrzwaldo · 02-06-2004

I would see what the electric code for you area recommends/requires.

Mr.White · 02-06-2004

From the NEC 2002 code book on my desk(which would be the NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE):

Article 810: Radio and Television Equipment.

810.15 Grounding
Masts and metal structures supporting antennas shall be grounded in accordance with 810.21.

Which reads...

810.21 Grounding Conductors - Receiving Stations.
(A) Material. The grounding blah blah I'm not gonna write out the whole thing.
In a nutshell it has to be grounded with a corrosion resistant metal conductor that doesn't have to be insulated but has to be mechanically protected from physical damage.

I only know this because the state of Minnesota has started to enforce the communication circuits secctions of the NEC this year and required me to be licensed by the state. No longer can any schmuckatelli off the street wire your house for phone, TV, etc. You need a power limited technician license to work on anybody else's property. You can do your own personal wiring without the license.

There are other sections that point to grounding of antennas. The feds want anything carrying current, no matter how weak, to be grounded.

crapfase · 02-06-2004

but assuming im never gona have the feds in my yard, is it actually dangerous to not ground the antenna? its ground level. im more concerned about static shock to my pc.

Mr.White · 02-06-2004

It should be fine. Since you are doing the work on your own home, there's nothing to worry about.

cst · 02-06-2004

If your ungrounded antenna and pole are outside, there certainly is the potential for a static charge buildup during a storm, which might harm you or your equipment.

I think that is one reason electrical codes are around in the first place, to prevent loss of property and life.

What are the odds of it happening to you? Probably not great, but it does depend on your particular installation.

Feeling Lucky?

sparafina · 02-06-2004

Quote:

Originally posted by crapfase
but assuming im never gona have the feds in my yard, is it actually dangerous to not ground the antenna? its ground level. im more concerned about static shock to my pc.

I have various antennae poking out over the roof line and have never been hit by lightning. However, its always good to ground electrical equipment outside just for safety. There is the potential to fry a lot more equipment than just the hardware you have connected to the antenna.

ve2vfd · 02-14-2004

Don't take a chance buddy, ground it properly.

I had ham radio turned into an expensive doorstop by a lightning "near hit". Lightning didn't even have to hit the antenna, it hit a nearby tree, but the charge in the air was induced in the antenna and mast and well... dead radio.

And static buildup is a major issue too... my father lost a direct-tv receiver because the idiot who installed his dish didn't ground it. Static buildup fried the sat-receiver when it discharged itself thru the receiver instead of thru a ground rod...

If this is to be a permanent installation, be smart and do it up to code... the code isn't there "for inspectors", it's there to protect you and your investment.

Pat

02-06-2004	#1 (permalink)
crapfase Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 22	antenna mounting i was wondering if the kind of pole/mast i use to mount my antenna (enterasys 7dbi omni) can affect the signal in any way. i bought a copper tube about 5 feet long and spray painted it cause it was only $3. the manual for my antenna calls for non corrosive/ galvanized/stainless steel contruction pipe with lightning pretection. it mentions static built up if not grounded and i was kinda concerned about my computer getting zapped through the pci card. is it just unsafe to use copper pipe with no grounding system or can i just rig a ground? (there is rubber padding between the antenna mount and pole so i guess it isint grounded like that) also the antenna is not on a roof but next to my house ground level if that matters. thanks for any advice/

02-06-2004	#2 (permalink)
wrzwaldo I amuse you? Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 9,147	Electric Code I would see what the electric code for you area recommends/requires.

02-06-2004	#3 (permalink)
Mr.White OH such tacos will I give Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,049	From the NEC 2002 code book on my desk(which would be the NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE): Article 810: Radio and Television Equipment. 810.15 Grounding Masts and metal structures supporting antennas shall be grounded in accordance with 810.21. Which reads... 810.21 Grounding Conductors - Receiving Stations. (A) Material. The grounding blah blah I'm not gonna write out the whole thing. In a nutshell it has to be grounded with a corrosion resistant metal conductor that doesn't have to be insulated but has to be mechanically protected from physical damage. I only know this because the state of Minnesota has started to enforce the communication circuits secctions of the NEC this year and required me to be licensed by the state. No longer can any schmuckatelli off the street wire your house for phone, TV, etc. You need a power limited technician license to work on anybody else's property. You can do your own personal wiring without the license. There are other sections that point to grounding of antennas. The feds want anything carrying current, no matter how weak, to be grounded. __________________ A good way to threaten somebody is to light a stick of dynamite. Then you call the guy and hold the burning fuse up to the phone. "Hear that?" you say. "That's dynamite, baby." -Jack Handey Last edited by Mr.White : 02-06-2004 at 04:17 PM.

02-06-2004	#5 (permalink)
Mr.White OH such tacos will I give Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,049	It should be fine. Since you are doing the work on your own home, there's nothing to worry about. __________________ A good way to threaten somebody is to light a stick of dynamite. Then you call the guy and hold the burning fuse up to the phone. "Hear that?" you say. "That's dynamite, baby." -Jack Handey

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02-06-2004	#4 (permalink)
crapfase Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 22	but assuming im never gona have the feds in my yard, is it actually dangerous to not ground the antenna? its ground level. im more concerned about static shock to my pc.

02-06-2004	#6 (permalink)
cst Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 28	If your ungrounded antenna and pole are outside, there certainly is the potential for a static charge buildup during a storm, which might harm you or your equipment. I think that is one reason electrical codes are around in the first place, to prevent loss of property and life. What are the odds of it happening to you? Probably not great, but it does depend on your particular installation. Feeling Lucky?

02-14-2004	#8 (permalink)
ve2vfd Silly Stumbler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 23	Don't take a chance buddy, ground it properly. I had ham radio turned into an expensive doorstop by a lightning "near hit". Lightning didn't even have to hit the antenna, it hit a nearby tree, but the charge in the air was induced in the antenna and mast and well... dead radio. And static buildup is a major issue too... my father lost a direct-tv receiver because the idiot who installed his dish didn't ground it. Static buildup fried the sat-receiver when it discharged itself thru the receiver instead of thru a ground rod... If this is to be a permanent installation, be smart and do it up to code... the code isn't there "for inspectors", it's there to protect you and your investment. Pat