[Lowfer] Not a RotoHammer, but a good pilot hole starter

[Mike Staines]

Andy:

Back in the 60's, when I was a Novice (a non-existent Ham class), I was
given the following idea for grounds. It works great for me.

Get a full length of a small-diameter PVC tubing. Also get some adapters
to allow you to connect garden hose to one end. I used electrical tape
to build up the diameter of the PVC then hose clamps on the garden hose.

Connect the garden hose to the faucet and turn it on. Push the PVC into
the ground. The water will "Drill" the path ahead. You may have to
insert and remove the pipe a couple of times but it is a quick,
effortless way of drilling.

After the hole is drilled, insert the ground rod and pack the
surrounding area real well with Calcium Chloride (Up here we call it
"Ice Melt"). Really pack it in there good. Do NOT use rock salt or any
sodium based product. Salt will kill your grass while calcium chloride
will provide similar ground conduction characteristics without hurting
your lawn.

Mike

On Fri, 2010-11-05 at 17:32 -0700, Andy - KU4XR wrote:
> Having come to the conclusion that there has to be a " better way "
> or at least " another way "; I came up with this idea. I'm sure it's
> not original, but I can't remember seeing anyone ever post anything
> about this method of " hole drilling " before. Using a 4 foot piece
> of Brakeline, and my 3/8th inch B&D hand drill, along with a pitcher
> of water; I had a pilot hole if you will, drilled, and the Ground
> Rod instantly sunk 4 feet into the ground, in an hour-No Hammering !!
> Unfortunately, at the 6 foot deep level, the sound of the hammering
> went from " thunk-thunk-thunk " to a " ting-ting-ting " sound every
> swing, and the rod stopped moving...pretty soon, so did I.
> Here's a not too good quality picture of the Homemade Starter Hole
> Drill Bit:
> 
> http://ku4xr.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=105349124
> 
> 73 all:
> 
> 
> Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN. USA
> LOWfer Beacon " XR " @ 185.29875 KHz
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