[TenTec] grounding and a personal observation

[AC5E at aol.com]

Bare copper clamped to a galvanized object will "eat hell out of your pipes," 
to quote that apocryphal NBS letter to the guy who wanted to use hydrochloric 
acid for drain cleaner.  I use a few wraps of stainless steel shim stock from 
the local industrial supplier for that purpose - and have found no galvanic 
activity even after a dozen years of use. 

I do not recommend exothermic welding, brazing, or any similar process on 
tower legs. Or on anything else that's load bearing. If it's hot enough to melt 
metal it will weaken the leg, and vaporize the galvanizing. That ain't good 
when the wind blows and the rain is as acidic as lemonade. 

Per Jerry's suggestion, I have seen a copper wash boiler buried for a ground. 
 And an antique 500 gallon copper stock tank as well. The hole for the wash 
boiler was about the size of the hole for the privy and just as hard to dig. 
The hole for the stock tank took three good size farm boys a couple of days to 
dig by hand. Both made good grounds, although radio wasn't the real purpose of 
the ground.  If you are going to go that route, rent a back hoe. 

But with the general availability of someone with Deep Rock well drilling 
equipment in farming country you can usually ask at the CO-OP or farm supply and 
get a hole drilled for a serious ground rod, 4 to 6 inch steel pipe,  down to 
standing water for a couple of bucks a foot. The pipe's about the same price 
per foot, and  when you are done you have a ground system that won't break your 
back putting it in, and won't quit when lightning strikes.  Although the open 
top of the pipe does tend to steam a bit after a heavy hit. 

Here in the south, several State Highway Patrol's use that grounding system 
on their towers, as well as cell phone companies and others who think their 
equipment must stay on the air. I figure if it's good enough for the commercial 
guys it's good enough for ham radio. And by the way,  the XYL  tells me my 
tower was popped again today. No damage. But it sure scared the dogs. 


73  Pete Allen  AC5E