Gang,
First, thanks for taking time to look at this issue.
I’m a new startup Canopy WISP in North Central Tennessee.
We have LOTS of lighting issues and the tower I’ve erected
is GOING to be hit - no doubt about it.
As such I’m trying to do everything possible to
protect my gear and the underlying investment 
If you’d take a moment and look at my diagram:
http://www.rtwb.net/review/TowerInstall.pdf
and comment on the design, I would be most grateful.
Additional info that might be helpful…
The tower itself is 300 ft. Lighting rod attached and grounded.
The equipment will be placed well below the top of the tower.
(I’m thinking 900Mhz APs and MTI antennas at or below 200 ft,
PTP 58400 Lite BackHaul somewhat higher - probably no more
than 20 feet higher.
The upper 60 feet are reserved for one or more Cellular tenants TBD.
Any thoughts, comments, criticism, or rants are warmly welcomed!
Best wishes to all!
Dave Brenton
General Manager
Rural Tennessee Wireless Broadband, LLC
Bringing FAST internet to the Rest of Us! (sm)
Dover, TN 37058
Dave@RTWB.net
(931) 232-0914 Office (anytime - message machine may catch)
(931) 627-1148 Cell - when not in Cell-Hell
(931) 827-4181 Home (anytime before 11PM CT)
Seems ok… I need some questions answered though.
So this tower is already constructed. You mentioned there is cellular gear already on it. I take it then that there is a proper grounding system installed?
Part of this system would include a copper ground bus plate on the tower near the top. You actually want to attach your ground kits to this bar, not the tower. The bar is a more direct path to the TGS (Tower Grounding System) and helps to eliminate other issues like loops and what not.
Put in another ground kit set half way down after your antennas as well.
Make sure all of your gear is single point bonded to the sites master ground uising minimum of #6 stranded green wire. You could go with #2 stranded green wire but that is up to you. #6 will work fine…
All ground wire crimp connections need to be irreversable and perminent, such as those found in the Burndy system. They use special lugs and crimpers to ensure 100% positive connection and no chance of pull-out.
Clean off any oxidation from the copper bars and then prep the surface between the lug and the bar with Burndy Penetrox E oxide inhibitor. Just a thin coating will be fine, no reason to use a lot.
Thats it for now I will think about it more and reply later.
[/quote]
amd phreak,
Thanks for the comment.
I guess I wasn’t clear.
The Cell Clients are NOT yet ON this Tower.
We are speculating that one or more WILL lease space
at some time in the near future. (we hope).
As such there is ONLY a tower connected Lighting Rod
and each leg of the tower is grounded using standard
Grounding Rods driven into the earth immediately below the
structure itself.
So as such any “Master Grounding system” would be up to
me to provide at this time. My tower vendor seemed to
feel that the current grounding was sufficient for Lightning
Protection. Were they too timid? (Not sufficiently aggressive
in their protection scheme? or do you suppose they meant
to let the clients provide their own hardware for that purpose?)
Do you have a link to the Burndy System you refer to?
Or should I just Google it?
BTW does your handle imply you are as huge an
AMD Fan as I am? (How could you tell?) :?
Anyway I’d love some separate comment on
the advisability of using and AMD based system
to run Prizm - Or Non-Redhat Disto’s of Linux for that
matter - Moto is not fond of these solution(s),
but I see no reason in reality that it shouldn’t work
just fine.
Please reply to that item separately
so as not to derail this thread. :oops:
Thanks.
Dave
Hi Machead I might be able to shed some light on a few things cause i am not far from you. I am in Celina Tn just east of you on Dale Hollow Lake.
Cell 931-260-1605
Kenny, what’s happening!
Long time…
How’s biz?
MacHeadDover wrote: amd phreak,
Thanks for the comment.
I guess I wasn't clear.
The Cell Clients are NOT yet ON this Tower.
We are speculating that one or more WILL lease space
at some time in the near future. (we hope).
As such there is ONLY a tower connected Lighting Rod
and each leg of the tower is grounded using standard
Grounding Rods driven into the earth immediately below the
structure itself.
So as such any "Master Grounding system" would be up to
me to provide at this time. My tower vendor seemed to
feel that the current grounding was sufficient for Lightning
Protection. Were they too timid? (Not sufficiently aggressive
in their protection scheme? or do you suppose they meant
to let the clients provide their own hardware for that purpose?)
Probably OK if it was done correctly. If the cell carrier comes in they might fix things on their dime. I have seen it before...... Their pockets are deep and almost endless.
MacHeadDover wrote:
Do you have a link to the Burndy System you refer to?
Or should I just Google it?
http://www.tessco.com/products/displayH ... ventPage=1
Check with Graybar for a crimper. They'll probably have an inexpensive model.
http://www.tessco.com/products/headerPr ... rchField=1
I use Penetrox a13 and Penetrox E or Harger copper joint compound..... A13 is for AL to CU connections and on bolts. Works wonders on stainless hardware too, to preven galling (sp?) of the hardware, and works as an antiseize.
http://www.tessco.com/products/displayH ... ventPage=1
Ground bars:
http://www.tessco.com/products/displayH ... ventPage=1
Connections made to the bars....
Bolts and nuts for your ground kits, and exotherm welds for the bar to the tower ground system.
Your landlord should know about exothermic welding (also known as a Cadweld.).
Thanks for that link Jerry....
I'd suggest the ALPU-CMM3 for your PoE protection, and the ALPU-MGPS if you are using sync through the RJ-12 serial connection on the radios. The CMM3 protector should pass PoE+Sync on the RJ45 port just fine from my understanding.
Install Belden STP CAT5e cable for all Ethernet runs, and use STP RJ45 ends on both ends. Inside the CMM3 protector, the jacks are STP-type, and there also is a screw lug for the drain wire. The STP is no so much for lightning protection as it is to reduce the chances of interference from other sources (other radio systems, such as the cell company). DO NOT connect drain wires on the AP side on the tower at the top.... Only at the base in the protector.
Hey Jerry How are ya? I just been real busy but still no smoky its been a year. I have to give you alot of the credit the PM you sent me was very motivational.
Right on! The first year is the hardest.
Glad things are busy.