Grounding Wire for Base

[NightOwl]

Hey Guys,

I have two types of grounding wire for grounding my Imax 2000.. both are 10 awg. The first grounding wire, which we'll call Wire A, is a multi-stranded copper wire (lots of small wires). The second wire (Wire B) is one single solid copper wire. My electrician friend, whose going to install the Imax on my roof for me, says that Wire A is better to use for grounding the Imax then Wire B. I was just curious as to what a few of you thought about this? My friend is an electrician but I think he doesnt know all that much about CB Radios/Antennas, so I just figured I'd ask you guys and see if you had the same opinion as him or different. Also, Does the grounding wire have to be stripped bare from the antenna all the way down to the grounding rod? Does this matter or not if its stripped?

Thanks!

P.S. I tried to post a picture of the two grounding wires but the forum said I was to new to the forum to do that.

[Midlander]

The more strands you have the more current can be applied to the wire(s).

You do not need to strip the entire wire. Just strip the ends that are making the connection. The coating on the wire stops the wire from corroding from the elements.

There will be lots of opinions about how you should do it, but as long as you have a properly routed ground, and heavy gauge wire you should be ok.

Good luck and enjoy the hobby!

[Lost Sheep]

Midlander is right!! The more strands, the more amperage the wire can handle. The thing is....ground wire doesnt handle...per say....amperage.

Now, to answer your question bout the stripping . NO, the wire does not need to be stripped all the way down. You can just leave the sheathing on it.

[icemanrrc]

You don't need a ground for the IMAX. It's fiberglass. If it was a metal antenna like a Maco, then you would need one.

[beebuzzbee]

This brings up another question.
Say, if I have a 60' stainless steel mast and if I buried the bottom 6', 2' in dirt 4 in concrete and U bolt the Imax directly to the mast, do I still need to run a ground wire?

[Midlander]

You don't need a ground for the IMAX. It's fiberglass. If it was a metal antenna like a Maco, then you would need one.

Every antenna installation should be properly grounded for lightning. It protects buildings and structures and could possibly save a life.

[Mr Love]

i got my IMAX on the roof Ubolted to the vent pipe
good ground only1.1SWR....the vent pipe sticks out of the roof
about 2ft i made it longer....