Making a SO-239 VHF/UHF bulkhead wall plate with equipment ground

[@largestache]

One thing I do on the step bit is color in the step above the one you want to drill with a Sharpie. It won't fly off like tape. You can wipe the Sharpie off that bit with alcohol or brake cleaner.

[@MostlyBuilds]

Ahh smart! I’m totally doing that from now on

[@deislanddave]

Definitely use a metal plate for strength. Use an insulating bushing for the SO-239 to avoid ground loops.

[@MostlyBuilds]

Thanks Dave. I have a metal plate in case this one decides to break on me. The nylon plates are surprisingly tough though. They look like the junky plastic ones that break easily, but the nylon ones flex but don’t crack. Time will tell, but I bet it will be ok. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@GreenPanza]

Excelente, mis felicitaciones, 73 desde Argentina.

[@MostlyBuilds]

Muchas gracias! 73

[@rickensey9861]

Why didn't I think of that. So simple.

[@MostlyBuilds]

😀

[@JustinWilson256]

Newbie here. How do you ground the grounding post? Run a wire through the outside wall to a grounding rod that's been pounded into the ground?

[@MostlyBuilds]

Hi Justin. The short answer is yes, but grounding in general is a pretty involved topic and is something that people frequently get wrong (including electricians when it comes to antennas). There is more to consider than just pounding in a ground rod and running a wire from it. I highly recommend reading this book if you haven’t already: “Grounding and bonding for the radio amateur” amzn.to/3zDuNdi

[@richarde735]

4 gauge wire 😳 you can jump the car with that! you electrical service panel may use 6 or 8 for 200 amps

[@MostlyBuilds]

Haha. I think NEC for the panel ground is 6 awg minimum for copper isn’t it? I had a bunch of 4 awg left over from adding ground rods for my antenna and redoing the bonding all the way back to my panel. I chose 4 awg for the additional toughness and the hope that it will resist corrosion in the ground longer. A lot of people use 1 inch copper strap for their shack grounds, so if figured why not use the 4 awg wire 😀