Station Grounding & Extra Class License Question That Has The Wrong Answers Part 2 of 2

This is Part 2 of 2 parts that shows Jim"s somewhat messy but effective station ground. Jim also discusses a Question on the Extra Class Exam that is wrong. Jim also discusses how adding a ground rod to the station may be a violation of the National Electric Code.

[@nickmccumber7222]

I am KD9NCB I am 60 and been in Ham 2 years I have my Extra license but mostly still doing more tech activities, but moving forward. Have been learning with you since the start of my journey. Thank you

[@dinosaurcomplaints2359]

My radio experience is limited to cb, but in wiring in apts, barns, trucks and cars, I have found that most problems are due to improper grounding. In the case of 110/220 can be very dangerous. I find it amazing the people who try to wire things up, with absolutely no understanding, that make it dangerous for others. Those that are too stupid to realize that they are ignorant. If you can swallow your ego and say, hey! I don’t know, that is the first step to learning. Then, perhaps, you won’t kill anyone with your ignorance! Thank you sir for the video, you are obviously qualified, I hope you get a lot of views. Especially from the ignorant ones previously mentioned. One more rant, the difference between ignorance and stupidity is that ignorance can be cured with way less effort than stupidity. Stupidity, unfortunately, is often fatal. It should be a higher percentage for the perpetrators.

[@abrahamnorthhampton3327]

Great 2-parter. As someone just building a proper shack, there is probably no single subject as confusing as grounding, and I admit that I simply learned the answers to the grounding/earthing/bonding questions for the test and said, "I'll figure it out when I come to it in real life." Now, here I am, and I still don't understand very much. Before I start throwing switches, I'm going to hire an electrician for an hour to come check my work, lest I fry equipment or myself!

[@ham-radio]

Hi, I am trying to fix two computers. I have about 75% of it fixed. As far as having an electrician, that would be good. If you have a friend who is an electrician and would do the inspection for free, that would be even better. If you want to take some pictures or video and send it to me, I can take a look. Also, I really want to get a Zoom account. If you I do that, we could chat on Zoom and I could see your wiring. I did work as a B.I. for several years. Thanks again for watching and writing. I does mean a great deal to me to hear from other hams like you. 73, Jim....going to bed now, it is late

[@i82996]

Love it. People like you amd me have had many jobs, many places. In this subject it is what makes you one of the rare cases of “jack of all trades and master of every one of them.” Young people, respect people like Jim and listen and learn.

[@michaeldebiase4432]

He taught me so much. Thanks Jim Heath w6LG. Can't wait to see how your antenna farm works at the new location. Hope your feeling better Jim. God bless. From Michael in Bronx county NYC

[@georgemoomaw9437]

At 74 and having experience in several trades, real estate, building inspections and flying air planes I LOVE your comment "jack of all trades and master of every one of them.” I have always heard "master of none." As a armature radio newbie (KE8RME) I hope to "master" another art - Ham Radio

[@Kellengravesfab]

As an electrician in California You are allowed to add supplemental gound rods to the system. But you need to check that the neutrals are not bonded at any other location beyond the service entrance.

[@fredflintstone8048]

Ground loops are typically created when a ground circuit has more than one path creating a closed loop. Current carrying conductors in parallel and typically running close to the ground can induce a current onto the loop in much the same way that a transformer is a primary winding inducing a current in a secondary winding and cause current to flow when there is a closed or completed circuit.

[@ham-radio]

Thank you for a short, correct, to the point description of a ground loop. Most times the issue that is thought to be a ground loop is RF feedback due to common problems like a poor shield on the mic cable. If you look at mic sold online, the shield, braid is maybe 50% instead of 98%. Thanks Jim

[@jrjr1273]

Greetings. I was on 75 Meters one night and asked a question about antenna/station grounding....I received about 40 different answers from 10 hams, which had quite an argument going on. I had no idea how controversial the subject could be. Thank You for sharing the videos. Great information. 73

[@rudert56]

If you really want to start a “barroom brawl” , put that question on e-ham.net.

[@harryr.6744]

Grounding is a vague and ill defined topic. There are different types of ground. Which one were you discussing?

[@arconeagain]

The first thing you need to break down is why are you grounding or earthing, even the terminology will confuse matters. In other words, what are you trying to achieve? I can think of four scenarios off the top of my head. Your case sounds like a ground rod at the base of your antenna in case of lightning strikes. However, many get this confused with a ground plane to improve ground efficiency for increased antenna performance. Third would be for safety in the shack in case of electrocution, a bit old school now as we know, at least in my country. Fourth, for bonding and grounding equipment for ground loop/rf feedback issues in the shack. Let me add a fifth for the rod at the base of your antenna. For DC grounded antennas, for static build up (related to the first). But what would I know, I'm just a CBer.

[@radiotowers1159]

Hi Jim nice 2 part video, over here in the UK there is so much miss information regarding RF earths . A lot of the text books will relate to US codes and in no way relate to the UK electrical regulations. Connection of a good RF earth to your radio gear can in some cases be better than the incoming mains power earth, which means you are potentially diverting any mains fault current down to your RF earth via your radio power supplies. This fault current may originate from a distribution fault and not from your internal domestic set up so in effect your RF earth becomes the fault path for the distribution companies faults ! ...a fire hazard and electrocution are rare but real risks. This type of hazard is particularly common on underground type supplies in the UK and similar network set ups.

[@tomw5vlt119]

Hi Jim, good to see you up and running with videos once again in the new digs. I'm going to say something not flattering of the ARRL and their books. This subject (not uniquely, thanks ARRL) is so unnecessarily difficult to navigate. I read the much touted ARRL Grounding book... and like every ARRL book is wholly unuseful for non-engineers. No practical case studies as examples, no photos, no actual equipment or materials listed for reference for those seeking solutions. Like every ARRL book, and I have a nearly 2 ft. high stack of them, the Grounding book offered no help in assisting me to set up my shack as a first timer. I had to watch literally 50 videos on the subject, all by non-engineers who skimmed the material because frankly, obviously, they didn't understand it enough themselves to articulate useful information. It was only by watching those 50 videos that by snippets of each I began to deduce the solution I ended up with. Moreover, even when I joined popular KZbin radio channel "personalities" in livestreams, I'd ask specific questions, and they'd skim or outright blow it off, and ... every ... single ... time ... they all blew off the answer with, "if you need more information, check out the ARRL Grounding book, it's great!" In other words, they didn't know either, and on every other topic related to radio, all these KZbin jockeys always refer to an ARRL Book clearly because they can't answer these questions either. For non-engineers, Radio is a terrible environment with an impossible learning curve. Everyone throws their hands in the air, gives a goofy grin, and then says, "hey good question, you should read the ARRL book on Antennas" or whatever the question was. Outrageous. Nobody who's not an engineer has a path of learning (other than going to get an engineering degree) because no avenue exists, and thus far in years, no Engineer (met many in clubs) can effectively when asked bridge the gap to non-engineers to relate to them on our level of understanding. Thus far the only books that actually have non-engineering suited material are the ARRL Study Guides for each level, those are really good. But every other ARRL book in my 2 ft. stack are as if coffee table books wherein Engineers sit around and throw out skimming platitudes, toss out a pencil sketch into the book, barely speak to that sketch with bare mention, and all sit there and say, jolly good hurrumph. Terrible state of affairs in Radio... ARRL is not servicing non-Engineers in the Radio community, some say intentionally, and its outrageous. This subject of Grounding is one of the most blatant omissions in learning opportunity. Just ask anyone in a livestream or the average Joe specific questions on grounding, and watch the eyes glaze over, followed by the "ah ha, I know what to say" smile, then the, "you should read the ARRL Grounding book! " As I said, after watching 50 or so videos (no exaggeration) pulling little bits from each, I finally landed on a solution. I have a copper pipe and copper ground plate behind my equipment. The equipment are connected to the pipe with copper braid. The Pipe to the Plate across the back of my workstation. The Plate with (think it was #4) copper wire out 3' to the exterior where my new utility box is for lightning arrestors to antenna coax runs, and in that box is another copper plate that the arrestors are mounted to, and a copper wire down 2' to the ground rod directly adjacent to the main panel ground wire also connected to that ground rod. Then I have bond wire (#4 again) run from that ground rod out to my yard 16' to another ground rod, then another 8' to another ground rod which itself is attached to both an antenna tower, and to yet another ground rod 16' away. No help from the ARRL Grounding book, no help from any specific source... just snippets of little bits of approaches from many, many folks' spoken or shown portions of solutions... deduced from. Are my grounding and bonding solutions "correct"? Beats the heck out of me, did the best I could navigating this subject, and ARRL was NO help. I'm really disturbed by the lack of practical fundamental information for operators to set up basic solutions for a first time shack, or a first time mobile/vehicle solution... How many people have videos on setting up a basic shack... and didn't cover a case study example for grounding? Answer: All of them. P.S. Also worth mentioning that two electricians I consulted, one whom I have years of experience with on residential work who I consider very knowledgeable, disagreed with the ARRL Grounding book on a couple aspects of bonding and ground rods.

[@ham-radio]

What did the electrician disagree with? Thanks for the input and description of what you did. All of that is very helpful. 73, Jim W6LG in Rocklin, Ca

[@tomw5vlt119]

@@ham-radio It had to do with the newly installed "radio (DxEngineering) utility box and it's grounding plate" that houses the lightning arresters, grounding wire from shack to shared (with arresters) grounding plate within same radio utility box, which was then grounded to the (main electrical panel's) grounding rod directly below this utility box and the adjacent main electrical panel. The debate was whether the shack/arrestors should be grounded to the grounding rod that the directly adjacent main electrical panel also used, or whether the shack/arresters should be wholly independently grounded from the main electrical panel. That previously existing grounding rod under the main electrical panel (and also now under the radio utility/arrestor box) was set in concrete slab, and we were concluding was this type of solution: ""A rebar type concrete-encased electrode installed in accordance with 250.52(A)(3) with an additional rebar section extended from its location within the concrete to an accessible location that is not subject to corrosion shall be permitted for connection of grounding electrode conductors and bonding jumpers. The rebar extension shall not be exposed to contact with the earth without corrosion protection." I opted to use this pre-existing rod for the radio utility box, shared now with the main electrical panel, which is then bonded to other grounding rods as previously described. The other debate was whether to ground each of antennas, and tower, to these common network of grounding rods and bonding, to the house's electrical main panel. Electrician said NO. However I did bond them together in keeping with various radio sources skimming of these topics and opposing viewpoints that appeared to exist, mainly because the applications of current (shack and house electrical) were so very side-by-side where entering the house, and that the grounding rod network (4 total rods) would "hopefully" suffice. Also have a whole-house surge protector where entering the main electrical panel. On a related note, also have very hard ground, often solid limestone bedrock... have to use a jackhammer to plant trees as example. So I paid a local digger to auger 5' deep holes (12" wide) for the grounding rods, as far as I could go given equipment, bent the grounding rods into a 5' long "J", and set both the rods and the bonding wire in conductive GEM slurry material to GEM specifications. 73 Tom W5VLT, Hill Country, Texas

[@PeopleAlreadyDidThis]

Wow. I just, not 10 minutes ago, recommended the ARRL grounding book in a comment to part 1 of this video. I neither love nor hate the ARRL, and I am not an engineer. I found the ARRL book sensible and accessible. It is technical reading, so one needs to approach it accordingly. I read parts of it more than once. Grounding, particularly with regard to RF, which is not initially intuitive, and lightning, which is not well understood by many, is by its nature a difficult and contentious subject. I appreciate that the book makes an effort to explain the theory, then offer generic practical approaches. I found that far more useful than a few hundred absolutely committed, but probably anecdotal, opinions in cyberspace. Electricians will always disagree. Local codes vary, some frankly don’t understand them particularly well, and probably nearly none are versed in the aspects of RF and lightning energy we’re concerned with. The code, and their work, is concerned essentially with fire and appliance safety. The mere fact that codes vary and do not all adhere strictly to the NEC suggests that individual electricians will certainly disagree. I’d be happy to unpack areas of the ARRL book with you, if you’d like. You can message me on the Zed...AG5RJ.

[@tomw5vlt119]

@@PeopleAlreadyDidThis Well, I didn’t say the book was a Zero out of 10, I said it was like any other ARRL book, a tosser coffee table book. Let’s look at some facts regarding the ARRL books, which apply to each in my 2 ft. tall pile of them, each and every: • Other than some “beauty shots” at some distance of antennas, there are ZERO photos anywhere in the books. Not a one. No photos of equipment, or materials, or connections and using what to connect, of parts that we’d be looking for. No photos whatsoever. In any of the books. • Instead, they offer crude, almost childlike sketches. We know from plans and blueprints that illustrations can be very detailed, but there’s no detail in any ARRL sketch to even approach a photo-like comparable, far from it. Crude, childlike sketches offering no detail. The narrative accompanying these sketches barely makes mention of them, and offers little content to what is being poorly illustrated. They’re like super high level skimming of subject matter, like engineers chatting around a fire with superficial chatter. “Quite right.” And head nods between those already in the know. • These books offer zero case studies as illustrations, for example, no, “So lets look at a couple examples. Here’s a shack set up of a 30 Amp Power Supply, a common Yaesu 991A that’s great for beginners, an adjacent PC used for FT8, and the normal accessories like Mic, keyboard, mouse… and we’ll take it all the way to the grounding rods and antenna… let’s get started and first refer to photo 8a.” No case studies to pull concepts together. No photos. No details. No comprehensive or even broader... anything resembling an example or case. • These books offer no insight (and no photos) to parts, materials, part numbers, brands (companies where we can find parts or more information), sources of any kind for parts or materials. By the end of these books, we don’t really know if we’re looking for something the size of a grapefruit, a golf ball, or the diameter of a vehicle or a hair. We’ve seen no detailed look or photo of any part, or how parts come together, or with what, and now we also don’t know what they look like, or where to get them, especially with connections between parts and equipment. • If this book was at all effective, people around the radio world who are asked questions wouldn’t get that vapid wide eyed “deer in the headlights” look on their faces every time, and then followed by that “I know how to escape my (common) lack of knowledge” grin, then followed by, “you need to read the ARRL Grounding book”. They don’t know either, the book didn’t convey guidance from which one can build a shack and ground same, gain experience over years from having read and worked with radio, and then being able to answer questions like anyone versed and experienced would be able to on any other subject where actual learning opportunities are available (other than engineering school). • For newcomers to radio, those looking to do a shack for the first time, the ARRL Grounding book is the only source people offer for direction, and for “someone getting started with a shack set up”, given the above points… this book is about a 2 out of 10. It’s barely a roadmap, I’d say not. Like every other ARRL book, the Grounding book has been around for how many years, and still these points hold true in today’s editions. Crude coffee table books as if light banter between Engineers, lacking any details for those trying to "hands on" set up solutions for … Grounding, or whatever the subject matter of the ARRL books. Clearly intended for Engineers who already have the "details" in their back pockets. Others have said to me with internal view of the ARRL operations, that it’s intentional, a snobbery to keep radio for the engineers, and for the posers to... "let them eat cake.” These books are cake. A glass ceiling.

[@johnbauman4005]

Tom, I don't usually have the patience to read through lengthy comments, but yours is spot on. My experience trying to sort out G&B is virtually identical to yours. In fact earlier today I commented on another video that the ARRL G&B manual was the worst investment of my brief amateur radio life. Had same experience with YT ham pundits as you also. Mike is a TRUE Elmer. It's hard to find them as there are so many well intentioned but misinformed Delmers out there who think that because they have always done things their way, that their way is correct and the only way. 73, John - KK7JBZ

[@jamievann9952]

Here is a good example of why all grounds should go back to the service ground. Years ago I was providing power to a new linear accelerator in a local hospital here in Maryland. The manufacturer's representative insisted that no grounds be tied to the building and that I provide separate ground rods for their system. Owner of the company I worked for agreed with me that it was a code violation and ended up having the manufacturer sign off absolving us from liability. During testing manufacturers representative shorted the main. Luckily I was there to kill the power. Of course everybody said it was our fault and they brought an electrical engineer in who looked at the system and notified the hospital, the ground was indeed wrong and needed to be removed from the separate rods and run back to the service ground. For a long time I wondered how many other hospitals this manufacturer's equipment was wired that way.

[@ham-radio]

Thank you! That again is a story that needs to be told and understood. I have heard about that situation and perhaps that same happening from others. Thanks for the help. 73, Jim

[@i82996]

This former proffessional engineer and member of Society of Fire Protection Emgineers says do it at he says. If you have ever redesigned vintage tube equipment for safety you would never cut the three prong power cord ground to “avoid ground loops.”

[@bille3rd]

Great 2-part video, Jim! Good to see your radio room setup. Be well my friend, W1WRE from WV!

[@daveh9907]

Thanks Jim! I'm just starting to set up my room, I saw the guys video about using the groundless adapter to plug into the outlet. Wow I was Confused. Glad you set me Straight. I have already installed a 2nd ground rod and tied in to the Original Panel ground rod...No Loops..fingers crossed.

[@simeshev]

Jim, you are awesome, I've learned so much from you in just a week. 73 KK6ONG

[@CeerCol]

When I first saw the question and answers I assumed it was a trick question because you were highlighting it. I immediately picked option B. I'm not a grounding engineer but I've read an awful lot of materials written by them and I'm afraid I see that question as spot on. Sure, the grounding system (not just a ground rod in isolation) doesn't make your facility lightning proof but it does provide a low impedance path that isn't your house/radios/you for all that energy. Assuming you have done your part and provided proper installation, arrestors, etc. Your point about integrating any additional grounding you might add with the power ground system is also spot on. Building codes require this for good reason. I was watching a tower maintainer speak on the subject of grounding and he brought up a very significant point: 30 years ago it was common for commercial radio transmitting sites to lose radios with every lightning strike. Now, just by implementing R56 grounding standards they never lose radios. Antennas and coax gets lost but never radios. Those standards are a bit expensive for us amateurs to try and build but the principles are the same: Give lightning some other option than your radio when it decides your antenna looks tasty :) Keep these clips coming. I love these deeper dives. KL5DV

[@ham-radio]

Thanks and please comment anytime you see or hear something that needs to be corrected or improved. The subject of grounding/earthing/bonding is indeed confusing. I recently had an engineer respond with a question. He was confused about reactance. Seriously. I wrapped this room with foil and copper strips 3 inches wide. All of that does little except to create a sort of shield. Mostly, my cell phone doesn't work well inside the room. Outside of the room in the garage, the phone works. In any case, thanks for the help. I took some new meds and slept most of the day. Crap! So, I am back to working on a 2K4 amp that has not been used since 1993 and has 4 tubes new in the box dated 1978. I am slowing warming up the tubes with a Variac and filament transformer, socket, fan, voltmeter on the work bench. 73 Jim

[@NipkowDisk]

Very good two-part series! Improper grounding and lack of understanding grounding fundamentals cause much headaches among many other things. If anyone else is curious, the late Eustace Soares had an excellent book on grounding that may still be in print and revised, and there might be others out there nowadays that are almost as good. 73 DE N7LTH

[@goodfriend6428]

Superb, valuable presentation. You are a great resource! Thank you for your work -- and EXPERIENCE! 73s

[@ham-radio]

You are welcome! I am working on what should be my best videos. I hoped to upload one this evening. It will have to wait until Sunday, 73, Jim

[@goodfriend6428]

@@ham-radio Looking forward to it. I swoon at your experience and especially your work to share it. WONDERFUL! Thank you! Take care, please. We need you.

[@thormusique]

Thanks so much, Jim! I've learned a lot from all your wonderful videos and sincerely appreciate you sharing your invaluable wisdom. One question I have about bonding equipment (via copper pipe or strap): Is it enough that you've bonded the equipment together without it having to be bonded to anything else? Or, if that pipe/strap needs to return to be connected to earth at the main panel, how do you get it there? In my situation, the shack I'm creating is at the opposite end of the house from the main panel, as well as on the second floor. If I were to try and connect a buss bar from my shack to the ground at the main panel, that would be a helluva long run! And I would imagine it would also be some serious resistance to current flowing to earth, not to mention the creation of yet another path to ground. Does this make sense, or am I missing the point? Any clarification here would be immensely appreciated. Cheers! :-)

[@imagineoneday]

My take away from your excellent videos on grounding is this. If you have simple setup, the electrical ground is all you need. Is that right? Or did I misunderstand? Thank you so much for this wealth of information on KZbin. I’ve been going through your videos a little at a time starting way back when you first started doing them. You are making me (and many many others) a better operator. I appreciate it greatly.

[@ham-radio]

Yes. Thanks Tom. I have come to the conclusion based on 57 years of trying, there is no such thing as an RF ground for the station. My new location's station has shielding and grounding with copper straps 3 inches wide and at 2 levels that wrap around the room. The effect is just about zero with respect to "RF grounding". The only thing that I have found is that my cell phone does not work well in the radio room. Thanks Tom! 73, Jim

[@SJHamende]

Glad I was able to watch part 2, very informative and totally agree from my time working in Installation and Repair for Verizon!

[@ham-radio]

Thanks Scott. 73, Jim

[@SJHamende]

@@ham-radio Thank You, stay well and Happy Holidays!

[@ArmonMitchell]

Sir --- please know that i am soooooo new to this whole thing on the civilian side ---old PRC 77 and KY-57 and sincgars back in the day.... but know this these videos you are producing will be used for many many years from now. many! Thank you so much.

[@ham-radio]

Hi, What is your question? Regards, Jim

[@ArmonMitchell]

@@ham-radio It was just a tip of the hat to your efforts.....no questions......yet

[@paulhastings3109]

Hello Jim glad you are feeling better 😀

[@ropnjessi]

Can you elaborate more on the grounding at a remote location (Ham shack, tower, etc) away from the house when the power originates from the house. In my case the shack is 150' away from the main power source (house).

[@JayN4GO]

Missed you on 20m the other evening. Hope to hear you again soon

[@MrLeoYaus]

It's important to know the full scope of standards you intend to comply with. I'm not a radio guy or a licensed electrician. I have however built test laboratories that test for electrical safety, employ faraday cages, etc. In the 80's we built a lab to comply with UL-recognized lab requirements that would also comply with certain EU directives. Our ground rod was required. It had to be a minimum of 10 meters deep in the ground. 10M was the rule whether your lab was built on quicksand or granite. The diameter of the rod was a little bigger or about the same as rebar. It was made of thrice-plated steel to minimize corrosion and maximize resistance of above-ground connection. We installed a lightning rod for the building that went to a separate ground located about 20 to 30 meters from the building. The rod of discussion here was located as close as possible to the building the lab was in but NOT in reference to the entry of public/industrial electricity supply entry. Our mains goals were to: 1) measure with precision any LEAKAGE CURRENT or TOUCH CURRENT of test subject equipment, 2) provide a noiseless ground for EMI measurements, and 3) provide an ample path for PSCC (potential short-circuit current) in simulated failure mode testing. I wound up here because of geopolitical interests leading me to consider potential outcomes possibly resulting in loss of communications. I'm not a prepper per se, not a militia guy or anything like that. I'm planning to move out of a big city to a semi-rural environment as part of my normal retirement plan. I like tech stuff and radio and satellite things are interesting to me even though I know so little. I saw the ARRL statement of January 17th and the FCC statement as well - very strange. This is how I found this channel.

[@Bob_w7kd]

Another timely on-point informative video. Thanks for your "under-the-desk" tour, I wish my rats nest wiring was that orderly. hi hi Keep safe! Cheers, Bob W7KD

[@ham-radio]

Thanks for watching! I almost did not include that in the video. It is such a mess. I keep changing things and adding to the mess. I may crawl under there today and see what I can do. Thanks for the kind words Bob. 73, Jim

[@billkeys6733]

My station took an indirect lightening strike. The energy came down the transmission line, entered the shack and jumped across an open commercial antenna selector switch to ground. I have since isolated my incoming transmission lines and have them completely removed from any ground source except when my station is in operation. That way there is no ground for lightening energy to seek inside the house. I am also in the process of grounding the transmission line shields by way of a bulkhead mounted outside and connected to a ground rod before they enter the house. Is this adequate? The only ground in the shack is the 3rd wire AC connection back to panel.

[@normy31]

Great content, I learn something with all your videos. I do have a comment about all the electrical wires and 'whatnots' under the desk. I have to wonder if any any of that electrical current/flow could overtime contribute to the deep vein thrombosis? I'm not a medical person by any means, just a thought. Again, great information all the time, very much appreciated! Thank you, Jon, W1JJN

[@ham-radio]

Jon, I don't know. The cause of my near death experience was never determined. I went to UC Davis and several doctors with no good answer. Many, many difficult tests were done including pumping radioactive stuff into my lungs. When I arrived at the ER, that doctor (finally someone listened) had the correct tests run. A D Dimer score of over 500 means that the patient is in trouble with blood clots, emboli. I scored a hospital record high at 12, 300+. They really could not believe it was that high and I was still alive. Exposure>>>RF for decades. Radiated as a child to kill off my thyroid gland. That was called an ablation. I will do some research. Thanks and Happy Holidays...next year has got to be better. 73, Jim

[@margaqrt]

Hi Jim. It recently came to my attention that Mr. Microphone is an honorary "Doctor" of electrical engineering. Defeat your ground prongs? Maybe he spent a little bit too much time partying with the grateful dead! Kinda funny coming from a guy who lined his walls with copper foil. HI HI Jim. Thanks for the video and Merry Christmas!

[@ham-radio]

All true. For me and the foil (hat), it was a test to see if I could measure current flowing in the grounding conductor when transmitting. And, I did that foil and copper very carefully. It is so good that my cellphone does not work well in the radio room. My prong is intact!! Not much else is. And yes, the doctor BS is ridiculous and tells us a great deal about the individual. Take care Ben, 73, Jim

[@ammocraft]

Great video as always, but might be an idea to tag this one as Part 2? I couldn’t believe the first time I saw the “fix” for ground loops touted as removing your earth connection! We might have a different electrical code over here (VK), but I’m pretty sure no country ever provides an earth, then makes it OK to not connect it to an appliance that needs one. 🙄 The worrying thing is, someone who doesn’t know any better is going to follow that advice and hurt themselves, or have a fire and get no insurance payout....

[@ham-radio]

thanks did that just now at 0321 local 73

[@paulhastings3109]

Power to the house is about 50 feet. Copper pipe in a L shape, all my equipment is attached to it. Should I drive-in some more ground rods between outside the room. Then #6 copper wire to the main. Ground. Hope you feeling better. Still doing breathing treatments everyday. Hope to meet on 20 sometime 73 KQ4CD Paul

[@rickylittleton1456]

Great stuff Jim!!!

[@ham-radio]

Glad you enjoyed it Thanks Ricky. Kind of you to write. I do appreciate it very much. Take care! 73, Jim

[@gn02020202]

My solution to the ground loop problem is to use an audio isolation transformer. They are about $10 at an automotive store for a left and right stereo connection. No need to remove a ground prong.

[@KeiranR]

My understanding was standard power systems need to ground one of the poles to the mains Earth in order for the circuit to trip.. somewhere else that leaves the potential to ground outside of the system thus not tripping the circuit.. my question can you not add a second grounding circirt to the system therefore if you happen to short circuit it will drop to the shack earth the system detects it? I don't know anything this is just stuff I've heard listening to Electroboom on YT...

[@Caseydog3]

if i had a portable tranciever and want to run a simple antenna do i need all that?

[@kb6dxn]

I ran a sub box off my main to the garage and the city told me to run a ground rod and run the ground to the sub box. Then when they put in my solar panels the city had them install 2 10' foot ground rods to the main panel. I also have a ground rod for the radios and a copper bar 1/4x 1 1/2 wide that the ground strap in connected to. All radio equipment is connected to the copper bar. I do have an Edison ground system connected to my 18ht high tower vertical as well..

[@ham-radio]

When the sub-panel is separate, a ground rod is usually necessary based on my experience and the older NEC that I am familiar with. Thanks James & 73, Jim W6LG in Rocklin, Ca

[@johnbauman4005]

What sort of connector can be attached to the flat 1 inch braid so it can be hooked to the equipment? I can't seem to find any spade lugs big enough to handle the braid. Thanks! John - KK7JBZ

[@mobiltec]

Being an electrician I know about grounding and safety. What I am more interested in is proper antenna grounding for the best SWR and RF safety if there is such a thing.

[@Justin-bd2dg]

Get yourself a quality lightening arrestor and locate it as close to a proper ground as possible. A dedicated lightening rod driven into the soil is best. If you have more than one antenna, run a separate arrestor for each but they can all be located on the same ground rod.

[@arconeagain]

@@Justin-bd2dg aren't those things useless? Just go with the ground rod and leave the rest up to mother nature and science.

[@YZFoFittie]

@@arconeagain lol satire right?

[@g0fvt]

Hi, like you I saw the advice from someone that is “influential” regarding lifting grounds on equipment to eliminate ground loops in the audio path. Irresponsible and idiotic advice. Sadly when people have challenged him he does not back down. Keep up the good work Jim. 73

[@ham-radio]

Absolutely. I have heard that speech many times. It is just plain stupid. I am keeping my head down and staying away. What a pain in the butt! 73, Jim

[@Sean_Hartley]

So what is the best way to ground equipment when the main ground point is on the opposite end of the home from the ham shack?

[@ham-radio]

Just as I described and did in my station. An RF Ground does not exist. 73, Jim W6LG

[@richardp5161]

I have a window feedthrough that is an aluminum panel, is it of any use to ground this to the house panel service ground? I mean the radio is already grounded through the 3 prong plug, will this just create a ground loop?

[@ham-radio]

Watch my video again. I explain why. If that does not make sense the second time, add another comment. 73, Jim

[@rstiosejo]

Hello Jim. I have a Grounding question. I have a copper pipe for grounding all my radios inside my Shack & all other Ham equipment. Then connecting it to my outside utility box to my copper bar where all my lightning arrestors are. From the Copper Bar inside the Utility Box connecting to my Ground Rod buried 9' on the ground. Is it safe to connect all my radios & equipment w/ the lightning arrestors? Some said it's wrong to put them all together. Was wondering about your opinion about this? Someone suggested that I need a separate Ground Rod for the Radios & Equipment. That it does not make any sense connecting the Radios & Equipment w/ the Lightning Arrestors for the Antennas? It is very expensive to put another Ground Rod because my Ground in the Property is Granite. I had to hire 3x Laborers to Sledgehammer the ground rod for 4 hours. Costing me around $400.00 in Labor per hour. Stay Safe. 73 Ruben Tiosejo KD6CWI

[@claytonmoore9530]

The one detail I still can’t find is when you say “tied back to the electrical panel”. How do you do this? Technically, Screwing a connector to the screw on your outlet face plate will do this but I don’t think that is what you are doing. :). Did you have an electrician set up a grounding connection of some sort in the room? And, as always, great video.

[@paulhastings3109]

What would be the difference between using braid over copper strips

[@1001011100101001]

The braid seems as if it would be a better, more robust conductor. I don't know why you wouldn't just use that everywhere? Cost maybe?

[@firstchoicelastchoice28]

I just found your videos again. Somehow I lost track of you. Good to see you are at it. Your wiring looks like a bowl of spaghetti but oh well... no problem, function over beauty. Off topic question..... if you don't mind. I have a Canadian license > Basic with honours < ,,, what would be the equivalent license in the USA? Thank you

[@ham-radio]

Welcome back! I don't know the answer. 73, Jim

[@firstchoicelastchoice28]

@@ham-radio I guess it does not really matter. I think the First level Canadian is tougher to get than the first level in the USA. Our written exam is 100 questions and you need 70% to pass. A Basic with Honours license needs an 80% to pass. Our Advanced exam is really tough. Thanks for your reply Jim. VA7BCL Western Canada. Courtney.

[@1958johndeere620]

I bonded all my ground rods ( 9 ) from towers and station ground to the electrical ground rod. Everything should be the same potential.

[@ham-radio]

Sounds good to me! Thanks. 73, Jim

[@KeiranR]

2 of 2 !

[@ArtMandelin]

During your tour under the desk, I noticed the clamps being used to secure the straps to the 3/4" copper pipe. I have often wondered if using dissimilar metals here causes any trouble, such as corrosion?

[@radiotowers1159]

Hi Art dissimilar metal corrosion is a real problem but normally water is involved so dry indoor conditions are much less problem than damp conditions

[@rcelectronicsllc9400]

After 40+ years as an Broadcast Engineer, I have a different viewpoint. I follow the NEC. I have had Broadcast towers and antennas mounted on towers up in all kinds of weather in mostly the mid west. I was able to follow the path/paths that lightning took and developed a plan that gives lightning a likely path to follow and ways to inhibit it path. I have a metal panel that is grounded with a rod and tied back to the service entrance ground rod. Once inside i use coils of coax to inhibit the lightning path. I want the lightning outside my shack and house. Once you invite the lightning inside you are asking the lightning to use your equipment as a very expensive fuse.

[@view05nys]

I want to establish my office/radio shack on a 2nd floor room in my house. I also want to put for now a 40 meter tuned wire dipole and a vhf antenna in the attic. The floor in the room has a completely covered aluminum skin, in support of the radiant heating system. My thinking is to put a 1 inch copper pipe under my desk and tie all of the equipment shells to it. The pipe to the floor's aluminum skin. The house has PEX domestic water piping, so no opportunity to "earth ground" the aluminum flooring. All the room's equipment will continue to have it's power connection grounding in place. Will this approach satisfy the electrical safety requirements and deal with any shack RF and RFI issues??

[@jeffdyer2393]

My station is only grounded thru the wall plug. I think electricity follows the path of least resistance and I want my ground to only be average so the lightning will find my neighbors super ground and leave my house alone. It's worked great sence 1990. No lightning strikes. Ke4fwe...

[@ham-radio]

Thanks for sharing. My video is really not about lightning but just the electrical grounding. Stay safe Jeff. 73, Jim W6LG in Rocklin, Ca

[@louisbarbaglia4846]

Thanks Jim I think you dead on with your grounding vedio Lou n2xsg

[@harrybarker1408]

im not a ham guy but that was a good vid!!

[@ham-radio]

Thanks Harry. Nice of you to write to me. Regards, Jim

[@REKlaus]

Understanding grounding and bonding and the NEC involving grounding and bonding: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6HKcol7abqqfNk

[@larsolepedersen]

Super Video Jim Vy de OZ5VO

[@charleswoods2996]

I'd show you my apartment station, but I'm afraid you'd have a mental meltdown, or, well, be "shocked" that I haven't had an RF grounding problem.

[@ham-radio]

Honestly, I don't think it matters. An RF ground is mostly an illusion. RF engineers tell me it does not exist in a ham radio station. 73, Jim

[@charleswoods2996]

@@ham-radio One of my all-time favorites is being told to run a wire to the center mounting screw of the wall outlet plate to better ground the radio and such. And that's from other Hams that had their licenses for 30 years longer than me "ASS-uming" that because I was a newbee I didn't know I didn't know nothing! And thus my favorite personality trait; the condescending prick that's full of themselves.

[@terrymurphy4177]

Very interesting 🤔 de w6leo