Reply To: Do I need to ground my Mag Mount Antenna if I use it for a base station?
Hi Susie,
The function of a “ground plane” for a ground plane antenna is to provide an impedance-matched reflective structure for the radiated RF signal. It does not provide a safety ground, or a static-dissipative ground, or necessarily have a relationship with an earth ground.
An earth ground, used for the purpose of dissipating static electricity that may have built up an electrical charge on the antenna, usually consists of an electrical conductor connected between a rod driven into, or other structure buried in the ground, and a lightning arrestor attached to the coaxial cable within the antenna system.
A safety earth ground is a recommended part of your radio station, and is mentioned several times on the technician exam as being something that should be part of your station, particularly if you have a tower installation. That being said, my best estimate on how many amateur radio stations in this county incorporate lightning arrestors and safety ground systems on their outdoor antenna installations is very few. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t add them, but just an observation and testimony that your antenna system as you describe it will most likely function just fine without a safety ground system.
A safety ground system has merit, but don’t think for a moment that if lightning ever does actually strike your antenna that the energy will simply jump the lightning arrestor and dissipate into ground. With the absolute best components in your ground system that bolt of lightning is going to turn your antenna into a burnt ball of molten aluminum and fry whatever radio that may be connected to it.
How about nearby lightning strikes? Probably depends on how nearby it is. In those cases a lightning arrestor may help. Not long ago I drove an 8-foot long copper-coated steel ground rod into the ground for grounding the station of a fellow amateur radio operator. You can get these at Home Depot for about $20.
Whether you use a ground system or not in your station I recommend that you make sure you use Coax Seal around the bulkhead connector, the coax connector, and up the coax, and use a drip loop so that moisture will drip down from the coax cable instead of onto the coax connection.
Contact me and we can talk more. Very 73,
John B.
WB6FRZ