[R-390] R-390A problems - rethink soil conductivity

[rbethman]

Roy,

Keep watering the gravel!  At least until the WATER BAN gets you!

The ground rods are 12 ft apart AND 12 ft deep.

The pole pig secondary IS the neutral AND safety ground inside the 
breaker panel.  Most folks do NOT know this FACT.

MOST power distribution systems use a "butt" ground system for their 
over head - AND that is what grounds the hardware.  It ONLY goes as deep 
as the butt of the pole!  A forty foot pole has five foot in the 
ground.  They do NOT use a separate continuous overhead ground UNLESS 
there is a WELL documented issue with getting good ground in a given area.

That "top" wire in your distribution system is there PRIMARILY for 
lightning protection!

Bob - N0DGN
>


Roy Morgan wrote:
> At 10:51 AM 10/22/2007, you wrote:
>> ... OUR grounds pretty USELESS!!!
>
> Bob,
>
> Hoo Boy, I'll sayl!
>
>> Between my 3/4" Copperweld ground rods, I CANNOT get ANY 
>> conductivity, when the cabling is disconnected!
>
> How deep do they go? How far apart are they?
>
> I live in Lovettsville, not all that far from you. We have had a 
> little pond here, about 100 feet by 75 feet.  It's pretty much dry.  
> The little brook that has fed it has been dry all summer. No water at 
> all.  The similar sized pond up the brook is just a circle of mud in 
> the middle.
>
> If I spray water on the gravel driveway where we have electrified 
> swing-away gates to keep the sheep in, they work better.  HAH!
>
>> The ground from the power company is a center tap of the secondary.
>
> Of the pole pig.

>
>> NOW - What is THIS effect on OUR signals AND those of the BCB stations?
>
> Good point. The neutral and safety ground should be joined at the 
> breaker panel, and extend out the poles for a very long way. Maybe 
> that is the "ground" our receivers are using!
>
>> Here in VA, we are about 20" below normal rainfall!!!!!!
>
> Yup. Maybe we'll get it in the form of rain and snow this winter.
>
> Ugh.
>
> Roy
>
>
> - Roy Morgan, K1LKY since 1959 - Keep 'em Glowing
> 13033 Downey Mill Road, Lovettsville, VA 20180
> Phone 540-822-5911   Cell 301-928-7794
> Work: Voice: 301-975-3254,  Fax: 301-975-6097
> roy.morgan at nist.gov -- 
>