Home Boatanchors Antennas

Some details of the antenna installation

Common Mode Filters

These common mode filters are installed right next to the ground rods, which are under the white 1x12 board to the right. The ground strap (4" copper foil) goes into the shack along the bottom of the white 1x4 that runs toward the upper right hand corner of the picture. It's actually sandwiched between two boards so it won't be disturbed. The coax from each antenna runs first to a common mode filter here, then into the shack to the relays that direct it to the right rig. There is a little roof that goes over the filters to protect them from the elements.
These filters and the copper foil (replacing braid) seem to have eliminated TVI.

**Common Mode Filters**
These common mode filters are installed right next to the ground rods, which are under the white 1x12 board to the right. The ground strap (4" copper foil) goes into the shack along the bottom of the white 1x4 that runs toward the upper right hand corner of the picture. It's actually sandwiched between two boards so it won't be disturbed. The coax from each antenna runs first to a common mode filter here, then into the shack to the relays that direct it to the right rig. There is a little roof that goes over the filters to protect them from the elements. These filters and the copper foil (replacing braid) seem to have eliminated TVI.

Cables run underground in plastic pipe

These are 4 inch PVC pipes that carry the coax, rotor cables, and AC power from the shack to the tower. Obviously, this picture was taken as the pipe was were being installed. Now that all the cables are in the pipes and the pipes are buried, there are no cables lying on the wet ground anymore. Also, no one trips over them.

**Cables run underground in plastic pipe**
These are 4 inch PVC pipes that carry the coax, rotor cables, and AC power from the shack to the tower. Obviously, this picture was taken as the pipe was were being installed. Now that all the cables are in the pipes and the pipes are buried, there are no cables lying on the wet ground anymore. Also, no one trips over them.

**The ground rods**

There are three ground rods here with copper foil strung between them. The foil is soldered onto each rod and then runs into the shack. The vertically mounted 1x4 board is to protect the ground foil from critters (even those with just two feet) and another board is normally mounted over the foil. The ground rods are in a small pool, which I fill with salt and water to improve conductivity.

Home Boatanchors Antennas