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howto:stationcoax [2021/07/10 19:09] – [Outside] va7fihowto:stationcoax [2021/07/10 19:18] (current) – [Station Coax and Grounding] va7fi
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 ~~NOTOC~~ ~~NOTOC~~
 ====== Station Coax and Grounding ====== ====== Station Coax and Grounding ======
-This is how VA7FI manages his coax runs into the house.  It's meant as an example to help people get startednot as the definitive authority on the subject.  [[va7fi@rbox.me |Feedback is always welcome]].+This is how VA7FI manages his coax runs into the house.  It's meant as an example to help people get started.  I'not an authority on the subject.  [[va7fi@rbox.me |Feedback is always welcome]].
  
 ===== Outside ===== ===== Outside =====
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 On the coax side:((Click on any of the pictures to zoom in.)) On the coax side:((Click on any of the pictures to zoom in.))
   * LMR400 is used for most antennas to the transition box.   * LMR400 is used for most antennas to the transition box.
-  * The box shown here is 9``×9"×4½", but I would probably use the next size up if I did it again: there's never enough antennas!+  * The box shown here is 9"×9"×4½", but I would probably use the next size up if I did it again: there's never enough antennas!
   * Two pieces of flattened copper pipe are used as bus bars.   * Two pieces of flattened copper pipe are used as bus bars.
-  * The coax from the antennas connects into the [[https://www.dxengineering.com/int/search/part-type/coaxial-lightning-protectors?GroupBy=ProductName&SortBy=BestKeywordMatch&SortOrder=Ascending&keyword=coaxial%20protector |coaxial lightning protectors]] (also referred to by one of the brand names: //Polyphaser//), which are mounted on the bus bars, which are grounded.+  * The coax from the antennas connect into the [[https://www.dxengineering.com/int/search/part-type/coaxial-lightning-protectors?GroupBy=ProductName&SortBy=BestKeywordMatch&SortOrder=Ascending&keyword=coaxial%20protector |coaxial lightning protectors]]((Coax lightning protectors are also sometimes referred as //Polyphaser//, which is one of the brand names)), which are mounted on the bus bars, which are grounded.
   * From there, RG-8X coax is used to go inside the house.   * From there, RG-8X coax is used to go inside the house.
  
 On the grounding side: On the grounding side:
-  * The antennas up the tree are grounded to a few ground rods and a ground plate.+  * The antennas up the tree are grounded to a ground rod and a ground plate.
   * Those are bonded to the ground plate that connects to the transition box.   * Those are bonded to the ground plate that connects to the transition box.
   * That is also bonded to the utility ground of the house.   * That is also bonded to the utility ground of the house.
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 ===== Inside ===== ===== Inside =====
 {{  :howto:stationcoax:inside.jpg?400}} {{  :howto:stationcoax:inside.jpg?400}}
-  * The RG-8X from the transition box connects to the bottom of a patch panel, and the top is labelled with which antenna is connected there. +  * The RG-8X from the transition box connects to the back of a patch panel, and the front is labelled with which antenna is connected there. 
-  * Radios connect to the top of the patch panel, and the patch cords are labelled with the radio.+  * Radios connect to the front of the patch panel, and the patch cords are labelled with the radio.
   * The patch panel is bonded to the transition box outside, and the radios are connected to the patch panel.   * The patch panel is bonded to the transition box outside, and the radios are connected to the patch panel.
 The patch panel makes it very easy to swap antennas between radios without ever having to disconnect anything behind the radio itself. The patch panel makes it very easy to swap antennas between radios without ever having to disconnect anything behind the radio itself.
howto/stationcoax.1625969398.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021/07/10 19:09 by va7fi