Posted: 11/16/2013 3:46:03 PM EDT
|
I hope this is not a subject which has already been flogged to death on this forum. If it has, mea maxima culpa - I did a search, and nothing came up.
I am a brand new ham (got my license a week ago). I am at General class now, and am taking the Extra exam next weekend (November 24). I don't have any "base station" equipment yet, except a switching power supply and an old Hammarlund receiver which belonged to my father. I am planning to get a HF transceiver, and an antenna of some sort. Before I put any expensive equipment in my 'shack', I want to be sure I have an adequate station ground system set up. Or, is that even necessary? I am looking for advice and suggestions from you long-time DXers. Lightning storms are not un-heard-of in my part of the country. Also I understand (from my reading) that RF grounding may or may not be a good thing. Any ideas? Thanks! |
|
tagged, as I am in the exact same boat. congrats on your new General license. am researching antennas & HF transceivers myself, at this very moment. so much info, it is a bit overwhelming.
also, the subject of grounding/lightning protection is confusing to me, as you seem to find a variety of answers on places like QRZ.com & eham.net, with plenty of arguing/name-calling/etc, & a dearth of what seems like legit info. |
This might help... Station Grounding / Lightning Protection Pic Thread 
ETA: This one, too. Added a Couple I.C.E. Arrestors to Station Ground / Lightning Protection Box |
|
I came here to post just that.
Vulcan94 |
|
Quoted:
I came here to post just that.
Vulcan94 Quoted:
I came here to post just that.
Vulcan94 Thanks Vulcan94! 
|
|
Everything you ever wanted to know about grounding radio stations......
......and a whole lot more. |
|
Quoted:
Everything you ever wanted to know about grounding radio stations...... ......and a whole lot more. I was going to post that! 
That covers EVERYTHING. The average Ham has much less, and it just depends on what your needs are. |
|
Quoted:
I have a grounding question... Are you supposed to earth ground the negative terminal of your power supply? Quoted:
I have a grounding question... Are you supposed to earth ground the negative terminal of your power supply? I asked this question a while ago and here's what I learned... Originally posted by BigDaddy0004 9/23/2010 7:10:27 PM EST:
I have a question about grounding a Samlex SEC 1223 power supply to the single point ground in the shack: Do you use the threaded brass fitting that is connected to the center pin (Green/Yellow Wire)? I'm thinking that needs to be attached with a copper strap to the single point ground along with the radio and tuner. 
Originally posted by A_Free_Man 9/24/2010 1:17:10 AM EST:
It is my understanding to ground the Samlex supplies electrically via the ground pin on the AC cord, but do not tie the negative output to a common ground with the power supply's chassis or other radio gear. The + and - outputs of the Samlex supplies should be allowed to float. That said, I would not tie the chassis of the Samlex to any other gear. Samlex SEC-1223 and SEC-1235M manuals, p. 10 d. The DC side positive and negative outputs of these power supplies are isolated from the chassis. As explained at paragraph 6 above, the noise currents are filtered to the chassis ground and the chassis ground is connected to the earth ground through the earth ground pin of the AC power outlet receptacle. Avoid connecting (referencing) the DC negative output terminal of the power supply to the earth ground. e. Connect a 1/4†wave length of wire on the negative terminal of the power supply. Connect one end of the wire to the negatvie terminal and leave the other end free. The wave length corresponds to the wave length of the interfering frequency. (May not be practical for long wave lengths) [ Formula: Wave length (Meters) = 300 / frequency in MHz ] Originally posted by BigDaddy0004 9/24/2010 1:39:03 PM EST:
Quoted: I have a question about grounding a Samlex SEC 1223 power supply to the single point ground in the shack: Do you use the threaded brass fitting that is connected to the center pin (Green/Yellow Wire)? I'm thinking that needs to be attached with a copper strap to the single point ground along with the radio and tuner. Quoted: It is my understanding to ground the Samlex supplies electrically via the ground pin on the AC cord, but do not tie the negative output to a common ground with the power supply's chassis or other radio gear. The + and - outputs of the Samlex supplies should be allowed to float. That said, I would not tie the chassis of the Samlex to any other gear. Note to self: Don't do that. Thanks AFM  |
|
Quoted:
You and me both brother. 
However my shack is in the basement and I have no real excuse. Quoted:
Quoted:
Hi my name is NUCdt04, and I'm a lackagroundaholic You and me both brother.
However my shack is in the basement and I have no real excuse. I am a fan too. I honestly think most hams are far too casual with their ground system (myself included). |
|
Quoted:
you need to SINGLE POINT GROUND your station to your house ground. just like the cable and utility company's do. go look at were your electric and telephone service come into the building. they are bonded to the same ground. I have a buss bar that goes to a 6' ground rod. That rod is connected to two more and finally tied to the ground at the AC mains. I still need to ground my coax and power supply. |