I have a full size vertical built from 25G running against about 80 1/4
WL radials - #18 insulated wire sewn into the ground an inch or two
below ground. There is a single ground rod next to the base but no
other ground rods on this tower.
We had a lot of lightning here last week and the tower took a hit which
popped a wire off the matching net. I am going to put a spark gap of
some sort on that tower to help address that but it's got me wondering
if I should also add in a set of ground rod.
The other towers on the site have extensive ground rod structures. The
nearest tower to the 160m, for example, has 27 rods mounted along 9 bus
runs.
If rods are needed, does the existing ground radial screen offer me a
discount on what is needed? I'm assuming that the existing radial
field would provide some level of ground coupling for lightning and to
get an equivalent level compared to the other tower. Meaning somewhat
less than 27 rods - when combined with the existing 80 1/4WL radial
field - would be functionally the same as the other tower has.
73/jeff/ac0c
alpha-charlie-zero-charlie
www.ac0c.com
_________________
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
|