All:
pH testing kits are also available from local plant nurseries, Home
Despot, etc. I bought one for $5. It contains the test vial for the
soil/water, ten capsules of "magic powder" to mix with the sample, water
dropper plus instructions. Haven't tested the soil yet, but seems simple
enough.
Distributor listed on packaging is Luster Leaf Products, Woodstock, IL
60098. "No. 1612" is stamped on the package. Might be a product number.
73 de
Gene Smar AD3F
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Wanderer <aa0cy@nwrain.com>
To: towertalk@contesting.com <towertalk@contesting.com>; 'ValErwin@aol.com'
<ValErwin@aol.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Sunday, November 21, 1999 10:39 PM
Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] Steel Ground Rods
>
>Are you sure about the plating? that it wasn't simply galvanized?
>
>If your soil is acidic, you want to use galvanized or tin or aluminum
>coated products. If it is base or alkaline, copper is the choice. As a
>general rule, the eastern part of the US has acidic soil whereas the
>western part of the country is alkaline. You can actually do a pH test
>using the kits obtainable from a pool/spa store. Dig down to the area
>where your grounding system will be (generally 6-18" or more depending
>on how far the soil freezes during the winter). Take some dirt from there
>and put it in the test tube with some distilled water, shake it up, and
test
>with the strip.
>
>73
>Bob AA0CY
>
>----------
>From: ValErwin@aol.com[SMTP:ValErwin@aol.com]
>Sent: Saturday, November 20, 1999 6:03 PM
>To: towertalk@contesting.com
>Subject: [TowerTalk] Steel Ground Rods
>
>
>Towertalkians:
>
>All this talk of grounds rods brings up the following local curiosity: In
>the local area (Dallas/Ft. Worth) several of the local power companies and
>their contractors seem to use cadmium plated steel 6 ft. ground rods as
>opposed to the Cu-plated variety. (The cad finish was confirmed by a power
>company contractor.)
>
>Has anyone ever had any experience with these for amateur use? Comparative
>performance?
>
>One thing that I found very interesting was that prior to building my new
>home, the contractor but up a temporary power pole and called the power
>company to hook it up. When the power company showed up, they sank one of
>these 6 ft. Cad-plated ground rods and hooked up the temporary power
>meter/outlet box for the builder.
>
>After the home was finished, the ground rod was left sticking up, waiting
to
>poke a hole in my tractor tire. So, I took an old car jack and removed it.
I
>was amazed that despite the fact that the rod had been in the ground for
>close to 9 months, it was not rusted and the cad-plating had only slightly
>lost it's sheen.
>
>Hmmmm--
>
>Val
>W5PUT
>
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