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How to Hook Up a Grounding Rod for an Antenna Tower

Grounding an antenna tower is the process of setting up an avenue to detour the electrical charge of a lightning strike away from the tower and equipment and discharge it harmlessly into the ground. By driving a copper rod into the ground and connecting it with copper wire of the correct AWG (American Wire Gauge), you can protect your antenna tower system.

Things You'll Need

Six-foot copper rod, 1/2-inch diameter
Sledgehammer
4 feet, #6 gauge copper wire
Wire cutters
Sandpaper (150 grit)
2 hose clamps
Screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Select a location that is no more than one or two feet away from the base of the tower. The area should be clear of any rocks or concrete.
- 2
  Drive the grounding rod into the ground, using the sledgehammer, until about five inches remain out of the ground.
- 3
  Sand a couple of inches of one end of the grounding wire until it is shiny. Attach this end of the copper ground wire to the tower. Wrap the hose clamp around one leg of the tower and over the sanded end of the wire, and tighten it down, using the screwdriver.
- 4
  Stretch the remaining end of the wire over to the grounding rod. Cut the wire to fit, leaving a couple of inches to insert through the clamp. Sand the end until it is shiny.
- 5
  Wrap the remaining hose clamp over the end of the grounding rod, and insert the remaining end of the wire through the clamp. Tighten the clamp down on the rod to secure it in place.

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