[jbsmith_05]

Hello,

I just finished my install of the DB4 - pulling in 49 channels (about 30 are digital/HD). My question is do I really need to ground the antenna? I am not in a high lightning strike area (foothills of west NC) and the antenna is only about 6ft AGL on the side of my house.


I have read many people are grounding the antennas mounted on the roof wich makes sense since its the highest point. But I wasnt sure if it is necessary for me to do so given my location.


Also what about running it through a coax surge protector?

Click here for some pics.


Thanks

 

[mjones73]

If it's outside, yes.

 

[jbsmith_05]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mjones73 /forum/post/15405414


If it's outside, yes.

so is it as simple as hooking some #8 gauge wire to my J-mount and then to a grouding rod at least 4ft in the ground?

 

[nybbler]

No, the mast has to be grounded to a grounding electrode for your home, with #10 copper or #8 aluminum wire. If you use a separate grounding rod it has to be 8 feet into the ground, and tied to your utility ground with #6 copper wire.


The coax should be connected to a grounding block, which should also be connected to a grounding electrode for your home.

 

[jbsmith_05]



Quote:
Originally Posted by nybbler /forum/post/15406380


No, the mast has to be grounded to a grounding electrode for your home, with #10 copper or #8 aluminum wire. If you use a separate grounding rod it has to be 8 feet into the ground, and tied to your utility ground with #6 copper wire.


The coax should be connected to a grounding block, which should also be connected to a grounding electrode for your home.

so your telling me i have to run a wire 65ft to the other side of my house to get to my grounding rod for the house (ground wire/rod just below the meter box)?


where would you suggest i attach the wire to the DB4?

 

[jspENC]

You attach the ground wire to your gray mounting pole, and run it to the house ground.


Your grounding block goes at the point of entry to your crawl space or attic. You will need to cut your coax and put some fittings of your own on it at that area. I see in the pic where it enters the vent. That is where your ground block goes. You can find them at Lowes.

 

[jbsmith_05]

Ok i found some better reading on this topic. Since my house's service ground is 60-70 feet away from the antenna, is it advisable to run the coax grounding block wire and mast ground wire into an electrical switch's ground?


If you take a look at my pics , the coax goes into the crawl space through one of the vents and then distributes through the house. I happen to have an outlet right there in the crawl space where the coax comes in and I tie the grounding block and mast wires to that if thats acceptable?


If not I would have to run two other wires in the crawl space to the other side of the house to get to the service ground.


Thanks

 

[jbsmith_05]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jspENC /forum/post/15407254


You attach the ground wire to your gray mounting pole, and run it to the house ground.


Your grounding block goes at the point of entry to your crawl space or attic. You will need to cut your coax and put some fittings of your own on it at that area.


It might be easier to just move the antenna to the other end of the home near the ground point... depending on how far that is out of the way, and reception.

I dont have the option to move the mast/antenna to the house ground because the house would block the signals.


the only ground the satellite had was a mast ground. No coax grounding. Did they do this wrong?


Why do i need to put the grounding block just before it goes into the crawl space? I can do this but then what do I do about the wire running from the block to the house's ground - in the crawl space or not?

 

[jspENC]

You cannot ground to the outlet. Very dangerous!


Here is a site that will help.


http://www.mikeholt.com/mojonewsarch...s~20020303.htm

Quote:
the only ground the satellite had was a mast ground. No coax grounding. Did they do this wrong?

That was not right if they did not ground the coax. If they grounded the mast, then just use the ground already there. I don't see it in the pic though...

 

[jbsmith_05]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jspENC /forum/post/15407320


You cannot ground to the outlet. Very dangerous!


Here is a site that will help.


http://www.mikeholt.com/mojonewsarch...s~20020303.htm




That was not right if they did not ground the coax. If they grounded the mast, then just use the ground already there. I don't see it in the pic though...

The mast ground used to be there, but i pulled all the coax out of the crawl space because there was so much excess.


Can the ground from the ground block and the mast be one wire to the house's ground? And can I run that wire in the crawl space to the house's ground, if not do I just some how keep it by the siding on the outside and then to the house's ground?

 

[jbsmith_05]



You cannot ground to the outlet. Very dangerous!


Here is a site that will help.


http://www.mikeholt.com/mojonewsarch...s~20020303.htm

Nice article - thank you.

 

[jspENC]



Quote:
Can the ground from the ground block and the mast be one wire to the house's ground?

Yes. Just run the ground wire through the hole on the ground block.

Quote:
And can I run that wire in the crawl space to the house's ground, if not do I just some how keep it by the siding on the outside and then to the house's ground?

I ran my ground wire outside, but I don't think there is a problem with it being in the crawl space, if you can keep it from coming in contact with other things. It should not be bent extremely. Take turns at slight bends.

 

[jbsmith_05]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jspENC /forum/post/15407479


Yes. Just run the ground wire through the hole on the ground block.




I ran my ground wire outside, but I don't think there is a problem with it being in the crawl space, if you can keep it from coming in contact with other things. It should not be bent extremely. Take turns at slight bends.

Thanks for your help today. I will have to get some wire tomorrow - good thing it is crystal clear tonight.


the grounding wires will pretty much be a straight line and will be just under the floor joists.