My blog entries for today discuss the ground changes at ND2E. The ground issues are interesting and have me baffled...How to protect both the radio and the computer when they are on different ends of the same (bonded ) ground system. The RF side of the radio is protected by the antenna surge protectors, the AC side is protected by surge protectors. The computer is also protected by AC surge protectors. Unfortunately the antenna surge protectors are on the south side of the house while the AC ground point is on the north side. All told that is about 100 feet apart. The house has the footing steel bonded to the AC ground and to one end of the patio UFER. The antenna ground is connected to a ground rod on the south side and then bonded to the patio UFER on the south end. So the two UFERs (patio and building footer) run in the same vacinity but evidently the coupling in not real strong.
Time will tell if the grounds work with or against each other. But in the mean time I hope not to lose another radio and computer to ground spikes.
Inside, we have a different story. I originally ran the transmmission lines to the antenna farm through the wall near the shack. On reflection, I decided that if I ever needed to add another cable to the lashup I would have to cut into the wall or run it external to the wall. So, I have unterminated the existing cables, removed them from what would be the wall cavity when I finally finish the basement, and reterminated them. Of course I was tired when I did all of this so it took a long time and several false starts.
After I finish building my Gx270 refurb computer, I will start with the basement electrical and the insulation. Hopefully, I can have the station area closed off and heated this winter. I will also need to complete the XYL's Christmas storage closet so she can get all of her Christmas decorations and Christmas trees off the floor.
I am sure glad I am retired so I have time to do these things plus the usual maintenance items. One of the biggies this winter will be the rebuild of the mower deck. I hit an enormous boulder while mowing. I dont know where it came from but it was in the middle of the yard. The rock was so big (How big was it Joe) that it broke the mower deck drive belt and bent two of the mower blades. Evidently it also bent the blade spindle mounts because one of the blades appears to be tilted and mows a half inch lower on one side than the other. So it is totally disassemble the deck and measure the height of each mounting ear and measure each spindle mounting ear to see if it is bent. So I should have plenty to do this winter.
I also need to set up for next spring - I need a place to start my tomatoes and peppers...
