Stuart.
What you say makes sense. Does it also make sense to fan radials (4 to
6 at 20-30 ft in length?) off one end of the house. This would prevent
discussions with neighbors. It is not clear to me how such a ground
would affect the R7 pattern, which is also on that side of the house. It
also sounds as though I want to run a connection to the AC ground in the
basement.
Another thought I had was to place the largest knife switch I can find
in the ground system where it leaves the house. Then I could easily
break the connection there.
I have not disconnected my antenna system except when I go on vacation.
Luck has been with me so far, I guess. I have given the subject some
thought as I am in the process of building a remote antenna switch so I
may utilize the G5RV I have disconnected but left up when I reinstalled
my R7. The R7 is not grounded, per a discussion with W1JR at a
Hamfest, although the base sits on a 10 ft pole which is u-bolted to a
length of rebar driven into a drilled hole in the ledge. As you
mention, the ledge is probably not the most conductive connection.
John / WA1JG
On 1/25/2012 3:23 PM, Stuart Rohre wrote:
> John,
> It would be a waste of time to drill into rock for an RF ground, unless
> the rock was iron ore, or silver ore!
>
> What hams need to do with this case, which is very common, sometimes not
> even rock but caliche like I have, or other poorly conducting soil, is
> to lay out quarter wave radials or a counterpoise wire at least. Run
> the radials in all directions you can like a crow's foot. This is also
> called a crow's foot ground.
>
> You might zigzag some wire in that low crawl space, to fit the area.
> Just make sure you also bond the radio ground(s) to the AC electric
> safety ground to avoid setting up a difference of potential in case of a
> strike on your antenna.
>
> I would unplug all my radios from feedlines, and AC in such a poor
> ground environment, when not in use and/or you are not home.
>
> The best surge suppressor is not going to help much in case of a direct
> strike, and at your location the lightning has no easy path to take.
>
> Stuart Rohre
> K5KVH
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>
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