[600MRG] Ground Rods - Connection To -

[Brian, WA1ZMS]

Merv-
Very good points, I stand corrected.  My thinking is that for those in small lots (say like mine; 0.66ac) getting a good LF ground for RF is not too far away from a good lightning ground only in that there's not much room for an effective RF radial system anyway. Given that trees and driveways and the house are "in the way" trade offs are bound to be made.
A tough twist for me is that my utilities are all burried.  The copper sheath of the phone cable which is insulated anyway makes for a great pick-up conductor and it took me weeks of work to get my DSL modem to function when TXing on 600m.  Ferrite was the solution. But I'm sure Verizon would have to wonder "why" if they ever had to inspect my line after the de-mark point! :- )


-Brian, WA1ZMS
iPhone

> On Feb 1, 2015, at 2:26 PM, Merv Schweigert <k9fd at flex.com> wrote:
> 
> If you want permanent connections to a ground rod without any clamping etc
> I use cad weld products,  it actually welds things together and does not require
> and special tools or skill.
> 
> Other than that my 4 inch copper strap and 480 number 10 ground radials are "brazed"
> together at any joints using a torch and copper alloy brazing rods.
> 
> Ground rods are not RF ground,   they are lightning grounds,   RF does not go
> 8 ft into the soil and return to a ground rod someplace.
> Theres a big difference in a RF ground and lightning or electrical ground for a
> power line etc.
> 
> 73 Merv K9FD/KH6
> 
> 
>> For the past few days we have seen recommendations to minimize the contact resistance between a ground rod and the earth.  Included were recommendations on minimizing the effects of corrosion.  Maybe I missed it, but I'd like to see recommendations and "how I did it hints" on making a long lasting - low resistance "electrical bond" between the ground rod and the stranded / solid copper wires or woven braid used to join the shack, and if used, the radial field to the ground rod(s).  Once the rod is pounded into the ground you need a little more than a "pencil iron" to join the copper wire / woven brain to the ground rod.  Simple mechanical clamps seem to be accompanied by a lot of wishful thinking when it comes to a long lasting low-resistance connection.
>> Frank Lotito  K3DZ / WH2XHA                          
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