User's Manual

pulsAR radio Operator’s Manual
3-4
3.2.2 Earth Grounding
For an outdoor installation you must provide a solid ground connection between the PulsAR metal
enclosure and the Earth ground. This will minimize possible damage due to static buildup or nearby
lightning.
If you install a lightning arrestor (Afar part no SUR-0205) on the antenna connector follow these
same directions but connect the grounding cable to the appropriate lug of the arrestor rather than the
radio. A RF lightning arrestor is only recommended in locations where it is warranted and you use a
coaxial cable of lengths exceeding 10 feet (3 m).
Each radio is shipped with a small ground lug (part no. SLU-35), and a lock washer to facilitate the
installation of the ground connection.
You will require some additional supplies that are easily found at a hardware store, namely:
• AWG #6 copper grounding cable (4.1 mm diameter).
• Grounding lug, nut, bolt, lock washer (as required) for attaching the cable to the metal
tower or structure.
• Anti oxidizing paste
• Outdoor cable ties (as required)
The following steps describe a procedure for a proper Earth ground connection:
1. Select an adequate grounding point on the tower or structure near the radio. This point should be
below the unit and must not be inside the building. If you must drill a hole make sure it is NOT
in the tower supports or cross braces. If several outdoor units are installed in the same area you
may use the same grounding point.
2. Apply a thin film of anti oxidizing paste to both sides of the supplied grounding lug blade, as well
as the threads of the screw used to secure the lug.
3. Install this grounding lug onto the radio enclosure with one of the two screws used to secure the
mounting plate. This screw must go through (i) the lock washer, (ii) the grounding lug blade, (iii)
the radio mounting plate and finally into the enclosure, in that order. Insure that the cable
connector of the grounding lug is pointing downward.
4. Prepare the grounding cable by stripping an adequate amount of insulation from both ends and
apply anti oxidizing paste to the exposed copper.
5. Insert one end of the exposed cable into the radio ground lug and tighten the screw on the lug.
6. Use steel wool or sand paper to clean the grounding point on the metal tower or structure.
7. Apply a thin film of anti oxidizing paste to this grounding point surface.
8. Fasten the cable to the grounding point using a lug, bolt and nut as required.
9. If required secure the cable to the tower or structure with cable ties or clips. DO NOT bundle this
grounding cable with any other cable used for data, power or RF.