Not an expert on this by any means but I think a long ground run from the
second floor will cause problems for you at frequencies where the length of
the run is a large fraction (1/4) or more of the wavelength ur operating on.
I think hams in your type of situation employ wires, one for each band
they want to operate on with each one being 1/2 w. for its respective band.
Use insulated wire, #14 probably okay, and play them out away from the bus
that all your gear is strapped to. the idea is to have all your gear
working on a low resistance RF ground counterpoise. Safety ground (DC
ground) goes thru ur AC service lines. You can also use one wire and tune
it with a tank circuit. There is one available ready made (the MFJ
Artificial Ground) but I personally think it is overpriced and not very well
made.
Rob Atkinson
K5UJ
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