[Boatanchors] Ground Rod

[Gary Schafer]

Mike Sanders K0AZ wrote:
> On a cell site.
> The earth is totally dug up and #2 is laid down to build the halo ground
> system.
> The earth is totally dug up and totally disturbed. Then dumped back over the
> halo
> system etc.
> Can you find a better ground than a halo on a commercial installation that
> takes
> dozens of hits a year and survives?
> 

Yes, a halo wire that is driven into undisturbed earth. :>)
I guess no one has figured out how to do that yet though. So the 
alternative to installing one is to dig up the earth and plant it.

You may note that the halo system is not usually the main dissipater of 
lightning from the tower but usually the ground rods or other radials 
around the tower are. The halo system is in place to act as a sort of 
faraday shield for the building and to equalize ground currents around it.

I am sure that they tell you to drive ground rods in rather that bury 
them in a hole though.

73
Gary  K4FMX