[Lowfer] Pounding in a ground rod - NOT FUN

[Mike-WE0H]

70 bucks? That's nuts. I have heard of using 4' rods if the rock is not 
far below the surface. I used a pair of ten foot 3/4" copper pipes, only 
because I knew the water table was within that distance. Otherwise there 
are a bunch of 4' pipes with radials soldered onto them all over the 
yard. It might be easier there to lay down a bunch of radials  and leave 
it at a single ground rod. Drive in a shorter copper pipe for a radial 
center termination point. Run a heavy wire from that to your ground rod 
but solder all radials to the shorter copper pipe. There's other ways of 
doing it like a bussbar with radials with ring lugs on the ends and 
screwed to the bussbar. You know what your doing. Now you know if you 
plan on putting in a sandpoint well that 6' under will be some nasty 
stuff to drive it through...hi hi...

How much is the THHN house wire down there? You don't need big wire for 
radials, just enough that it can be laid down without breaking it until 
the grass buries it. I always look for the dirt cheep surplus wire for 
radials.

Mike
WE0H


Andy - KU4XR wrote:
>
> UUHHH OK, I'm gonna have to play the dummie on that one !
> I was under the impression that an 8 foot rod was pretty
> much the standard.  Do you use shorter ones ??
>
> OH ! and BTW; you wouldn't believe the price of Chicken
> wire. $ 70.00 for a 2' x 50' roll.
>
> Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN.
> LOWfer Beacon " XR " @ 185.29866 KHz ( QRSS-60 )
> Coordinates:  N:  35* 43' 54" - W:  84* 3' 16"
> http://www.myspace.com/beaconxr