Roof mounted tripod grounding

[fairsailing]

I have a heavy duty tripod with 5ft 2" OD mast (galvanized steel?), it is at the highest point of my roof, perhaps 45 ft off the ground. The tripod currently has a small 2 bay UHF antenna, and the tripod grounding bolt is connected, via messenger wire, to a 8ft copper ground rod just before the coax enters the house. My question, I will be placing a SWM dish on top of the tripod, and keeping the antenna, do I need to independently ground the dish, or, should the tripod ground be sufficient? Advice very much appreciated!

[jdspencer]

I would say that the existing grounding of the tripod will be sufficient for the dish. However, you still need the LNB coaxes run through a grounding block, usually just before the lines enter the house.

[fairsailing]

Thanks jd, very helpful. One other question. I am going to use Belden 7916A RG-6 with Thomas & Betts connectors for my 100 ft run from the dish to the ground block, but it is a bit on the pricey side, could I get by with something less expensive for my two 6 foot runs, ground block to PI, and PI to receiver? Say something from Monoprice like this:

18AWG Solid .040ˇ± Bare Copper-Clad Steel Conductor
100% Aluminum-Mylar Shielding
60% Aluminum Braid
Gas Injected Foam Polyethylene Insulation
CM (CL2) Rated PVC Jacket
Sweep Tested to 3.0GHz

It runs about 1/5th the cost of retail Belden.

[RobertE]

Stay away from copper clad steel for any runs of more than a few feet. It doesn't carry the voltage as good as solid copper.