[R-390] Grounds

[2002tii]

wli wrote:

>So I am asking, what is the opinion for those of us on the second 
>story in a wood house with a galvanized metal roof?
>
>I am thinking that you could use the entire roof as a counterpoise. 
>Then run a thick braid down to a earthing rod. At the moment, I have 
>a vertical lashed to the chimney, and a lightning arrestor attached 
>to my steel roof with a copper braid down to a grounding rod.

A friend has a similar arrangement, but with a large galvanized 
gutter instead of a metal roof.  He had mixed results using the 
gutter as a counterpoise.  From the second floor you won't be able to 
get a very good RF ground on the roof above a couple of MHz, so the 
noise-reduction benefits won't be apparent for most of the bands we listen to.

Also, note that there are grounding rods and grounding rods.  I see 
many lightning rods connected to a 3 foot length of 3/8" 
copper-plated steel rod pushed into the ground.  To be effective in 
most soils, you need a substantial length (10 feet or more) of stout 
copper (1" pipe or better) driven fully into the ground.

Best regards,

Don