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ckeays
Last reply · posted in Over the Air Television By RabbitEars.Info

Grounding OTA Mast (Again)

Hi Guys,

I realize this question has been asked a million times, but here goes:

My OTA antenna is mounted on a 5' mast, on a tripod at the peak of my roof.
(My roof is 30' from the ground)

I have a 3 year old 2 storey home with a very steep roof pitch.

I chose to run the coax cable neatly under the shingle cap (at the ridge of the roof).
The cable goes into the attic and down a conduit (central vac pipe) that the builder installed.
This conduit goes from the attic directly through both levels of my house then to the basement where the panel is located.

I did not want to run the cable down the hip and then beside the downspout or down the brick for many reasons mainly for appearance.

If I run the ground cable along the top of the roof to the closest point where I can bring it down, the ground cable length will be 40 to 50 feet long.

I was thinking of running the ground wire to the panel where the main ground block is located or from the panel back outside the house to a ground rod.

If I run the ground wire down the conduit (in the same path as the coax) the ground wire will be 80 - 90 feet long. Is this acceptable or should I just forget about grounding it?

I can post pictures of installation if requested.

Any suggestions?
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FaT Air
FaT Air
The minimum that I would do is a 4 turn loop in the coax as soon as it enters the attic. Then a coax ground block at the service panel. Ground block tied into the electrical ground there. Then another 4 turn loop of coax as the coax leaves the ground block to the connected TVs and/or DVR, Make the loops about 4 to 6 inches across. The static charge from winds across the antenna will discharge through the coax shield to the ground block, to the electrical ground.
Trees taller than the antenna height sometimes provides a 'cone of protection' so if they are close enough that may minimize the chances of a strike. YMMV.
To really ground the mast and antenna I'd find the most direct path between it and the ground used by the electrical on the exterior of the home (sorry, but that's the 'universal 'code' AFAIK.
I would NOT run the ground wire through the house. The purpose is to keep a strike outside.
Make corners 'gentle' in the ground wire. No sharp 90 degree corners.
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C
ckeays
FaT Air said:
The minimum that I would do is a 4 turn loop in the coax as soon as it enters the attic. Then a coax ground block at the service panel. Ground block tied into the electrical ground there. Then another 4 turn loop of coax as the coax leaves the ground block to the connected TVs and/or DVR, Make the loops about 4 to 6 inches across. The static charge from winds across the antenna will discharge through the coax shield to the ground block, to the electrical ground.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your response. What about grounding to an outlet using a coax ground block?

FaT Air said:
To really ground the mast and antenna I'd find the most direct path between it and the ground used by the electrical on the exterior of the home (sorry, but that's the 'universal 'code' AFAIK.
I would NOT run the ground wire through the house. The purpose is to keep a strike outside.
Make corners 'gentle' in the ground wire. No sharp 90 degree corners.
Click to expand...

I am afraid that is impossible if I want to make it look good.
My roof is very high, and the ridge (horizontal roof peak) is only about 6 feet long.
So in order to get to the perimeter, I would have to run the wire directly over top of the shingles for about 25- 30 feet.
I guess I have no choice.

I have a roll of 12 guage ground wire. Would this be ok if the length is 50 feet?

Thanks for the advice.
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fred555
fred555
What about a lightning arrestor in addition to a grounded mast?
I use one of these:
859902_zoom.jpg


http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=859902&d=Wilson-Electronics-859902-0-3-GHz-Lightning-Protector-(859902)&sku=813986003237&q=lightning arrestor
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FaT Air
FaT Air
Those are "N" connectors. RG8 usually. 50 ohm usually.
Think a normal TV ground block with a loop of coax on the TV side will be just as effective. That worked wonders on the 300 ft towers and their radios I maintained in the ND oil patch back in the 80's,
I do that here with the TV ant. and sat dishes. Haven't lost any equipment to lightning, but a tree within 50 ft of them took a direct hit a few years ago, and is no longer.
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fred555
fred555
FaT Air said:
Those are "N" connectors. RG8 usually. 50 ohm usually.
Think a normal TV ground block with a loop of coax on the TV side will be just as effective. That worked wonders on the 300 ft towers and their radios I maintained in the ND oil patch back in the 80's,
I do that here with the TV ant. and sat dishes. Haven't lost any equipment to lightning, but a tree within 50 ft of them took a direct hit a few years ago, and is no longer.
Click to expand...

Sorry I posted the wrong one. Good catch. This is the one I installed, I figured .2 db loss what the heck:

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as..._term=859992&gclid=CNih5Y_lsswCFRFahgodql0OZw

I did the loop too. I figured an insurance company could not argue a claim when there was a real honest to goodness arresetor in the line. The wife wanted no ambiguities as far as insurance goes.

EDIT: It looks like the arrestor is not really required by code for coax:

Antenna discharge unit
The NEC requires that each lead-in conductor from an outdoor antenna be provided with a
listed antenna discharge unit (ADU) unless the lead-in has a continuous shield that is properly grounded (figure 3) [par. 810.20(A)]. The term lead-in refers to any cable or conductor from the antenna system including coaxial cables, waveguides, rotator control cables, and powering conductors and cables for mast- or tower-mounted amplifiers and other outdoor electronics associated with the antenna system.

Thanks! I guess I will not worry about an expensive arrestor next time.
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FaT Air
FaT Air
Not required, but is an optional 'extra'.
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harshness
harshness
ckeays said:
What about grounding to an outlet using a coax ground block?
Click to expand...
Understand that a coax ground requires much the same bonding that a mast ground requires and both the mast and the cable are supposed to be grounded independently (10 gauge on mast and 17 gauge on coax). IIRC it used to be 17ga on the mast as that's what the carrier wire on coax was for.

An outlet is NOT a bonding point. The hard part is that all grounding must be done BEFORE cables or wires enter into the structure. Perhaps not obviously, this includes the ground wire itself (the ground wire can't come from inside).

The Mike Holt website has lots of pictures and what most consider to be authoritative interpretations of the NEC. There's also a couple of YouTube videos from Mike Holt that talk about the issues with nomenclature and now the NFPA has tinkered with the NEC. There's also the concept of an Antenna Discharge Unit brought up in one of the videos that is somehow different from a grounding block but is required on the coax itself.



Again, there is a big difference between protection from static electricity and lightning (though lightning may be "attracted" to static electricity).
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Security Now 1101

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ4Z4zafNLI


Direct YouTube Link - Security Now 1101
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osu1991
osu1991
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Susan Saint James, Emmy-Winning Star of 'Kate & Allie' and 'McMillan & Wife,' Dies at 80

variety.com

Susan Saint James, Emmy-Winning Star of ‘Kate & Allie’ and ‘McMillan & Wife,’ Dies at 80

Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress who starred in "Kate & Allie," died Monday after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She was 80.
variety.com variety.com
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Bobby
Bobby
Rest in peace.
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JSheridan
JSheridan
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

All DMA's now Western Arc

I know HipKat said that they were working on conversions but we got the official news yesterday right from Dish that starting next month all DMA's will be on the western arc, and all customers will be assigned to that. That's gonna mean a lot of customers around here aren't gonna get Dish unless there are exceptions. Too many mountains and trees.
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Strega
Even if you are broadcasting old SD-only shows, I would think advertisers would still want their commercials to look good.
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Jimbo
Jimbo
Strega said:
Even if you are broadcasting old SD-only shows, I would think advertisers would still want their commercials to look good.
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Advertisers on SD channels are probably Far and Few, very hard to find, they have very few viewers to watch them.
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Mister B
Mister B
Jimbo said:
Advertisers on SD channels are probably Far and Few, very hard to find, they have very few viewers to watch them.
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I watch mostly SD channels (H&I, Start and ION, etc.). There are plenty of advertisers, this time of the year it is mostly Medicare Advantage plans, auto extended warranties and the occasional walk-in-tub. They know who is watching.
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slow_poke_pete
Mister B said:
I watch mostly SD channels (H&I, Start and ION, etc.). There are plenty of advertisers, this time of the year it is mostly Medicare Advantage plans, auto extended warranties and the occasional walk-in-tub. They know who is watching.
Click to expand...
can't forget the little blue m&m's
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charlesrshell
charlesrshell
slow_poke_pete said:
can't forget the little blue m&m's
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That's what my wife calls my Viagra!!
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telstar_1
Why didn't Charlie end up launching starlink
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Foxbat
Foxbat
telstar_1 said:
Why didn't Charlie end up launching starlink
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Because he didn't have a fleet of reusable rockets. Starlink works because SpaceX is able to launch hundreds (thousands?) of their Starlink satellites for what a single geostationary Internet satellite costs to build and launch on a disposable launcher.
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telstar_1
But how is it reusable if it's disposable
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slow_poke_pete
charlesrshell said:
That's what my wife calls my Viagra!!
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My gf is 29 years younger than me :shh
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Almighty1
Almighty1
telstar_1 said:
Why didn't Charlie end up launching starlink
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He does not have the resources aka $$$ compared to Elon Musk as in reality, Elon can eat Charlie for lunch or even mop the floor with Charlie if he wanted to.
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slow_poke_pete
ment to 20 yrs dam phone
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Marques Brownlee
· posted in Marques Brownlee

This can SEE Sound!

Time for another AWESOME video from Marques Brownlee!


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ai1gIWacf0I


Direct YouTube Link - This can SEE Sound!
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iJustine
· posted in iJustine

New Dive Computer! Oceanic’s o.i 🤿

Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/roM3DlRf5Gk


Direct YouTube Link - New Dive Computer! Oceanic's o.i 🤿
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Buy her book!
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Scott Greczkowski
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
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FTA4PA
FTA4PA
Strange Days - Nazareth
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gms49ers
Dancing Days - Led Zeppelin
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dishstaller
Dancing in the Street - Van Halen
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long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
Bakers Street - Gerry Rafferty
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Bobby
Bobby
long_time_Dish said:
Bakers Street - Gerry Rafferty
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Let me fix that for you:
Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty
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osu1991
osu1991
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in Movie Talk

Dune (2020)

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long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
Also watched part 2 about a week or so ago after rewatching part 1. It's not as faithful to the book as I was hoping for. Part 1 stayed fairly faithful to the novel, but part 2 took some liberties that I felt were rather excessively non-novel. It looks like a prequel series will happen before part 3. My issue is: there's no prequel that was written as a novel, so what will it be pulled from? Or will it just be "based loosely" on the novel?
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K
klang
long_time_DNC said:
Also watched part 2 about a week or so ago after rewatching part 1. It's not as faithful to the book as I was hoping for. Part 1 stayed fairly faithful to the novel, but part 2 took some liberties that I felt were rather excessively non-novel. It looks like a prequel series will happen before part 3. My issue is: there's no prequel that was written as a novel, so what will it be pulled from? Or will it just be "based loosely" on the novel?
Click to expand...
There is a bunch of other Dune written by Kevin J Anderson and Brian Herbert (Franks son). I think the series in production is taken from one of their books about the Bene Gesserit.
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long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
klang said:
There is a bunch of other Dune written by Kevin J Anderson and Brian Herbert (Franks son). I think the series in production is taken from one of their books about the Bene Gesserit.
Click to expand...
Correct. I've read all of them (yes, it took awhile, better part of a year, in my spare time). And they can't really consider or classify a series about the Bene Gesserit as a prequel. Sure, I suppose they can call it that, if they want to, because it begins before the time of Paul Atredies, but it's still a stretch. It's a Dune-related novel, not a prequel as we generally think of prequels...
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K
K
long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
Well, it looks good! I just hope they stayed close to the trilogy, but it doesn't look like it.
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

MacBreak Weekly 1048

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


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Linus Tech Tips
· posted in Linus Tech Tips

Pros Try AI-Cloned Engineering Tools

Time for another AWESOME video from Linus Tech Tips!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZSYaQmxBLM


Direct YouTube Link - Pros Try AI-Cloned Engineering Tools
Linus on Facebook
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Linux 7.3 Optimizes Gaming VRAM on 8GB GPUs #shorts

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1cPqRk5EyNs


Direct YouTube Link - Linux 7.3 Optimizes Gaming VRAM on 8GB GPUs #shorts
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