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How to Ground a Dipole Antenna

The process of grounding an antenna is connecting wire to the antenna and radio to help redirect any lightening strikes or static electricity away from the equipment and house. The higher the antenna, the more vulnerable it and the equipment are to strikes. With a dipole antenna, the proper grounding is done at the back of the antenna tuner, since there is no metal mast used for this style of antenna.

Things You'll Need

Sledgehammer
Copper grounding rod, 6 foot
Leather gloves
8 gauge solid copper wire, 10 feet
Hose clamp
Screwdriver
Tube of caulk

Instructions

- 1
  Locate an area to drive the grounding rod into the ground that is close to where the antenna wire enters the home. The grounding rod should be in about 12 inches away from the house to avoid hitting the foundation as it's driven into the ground.
- 2
  Hold the grounding rod firmly in one hand and the sledgehammer in the other hand, and hammer it straight into the ground so that about 6 inches remain extending up from ground level.
- 3
  Feed one end of the 8 gauge copper wire through the existing hole in the exterior wall where the antenna cable enters the home. Follow the manufacturer guidelines for your particular model antenna turner to properly connect the end of the ground wire to the turner.
- 4
  Stretch the remaining end of the copper wire down to the grounding rod. Slide the hose clamp over the end of the wire and the end of the grounding wire and tighten the clamp down to secure the wire to the rod.
- 5
  Apply caulk in the hole and around the copper wire and antenna cable to prevent moisture or insects from entering the home through the hole.

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