Topband: Ground rods

[James Wolf]

Occasionally in the summer, I have to water my 4 ft. ground rod under the K9AY array even though I also have 8 radials under it.

Jim - KR9U

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 Common thinking:   Long ground rods are not necessary. Then a lot of reasons why. Most  biased to a damp  warm climate. 
  
  
 When ground rods are necessary, use long ones because:
  
 In Cold climates- earth freezes 4 or more feet deep.  . Frozen earth has very poor conductivity. 
 Need to get the rod well below the frost line. 
  
 Some warmer climates may have dry periods when the Earth surface dries and cracks as happened in California this year. 
 Dry earth typically is less conductive. 
  
 Yes, the conductivity of earth near the surface can be better, but  oxygen levels in the waiter near the surface is also higher.. 
 Ground rod oxidation near the surface is typically higher. so the deeper ground portion, of the rod, is more conductive with time. 
 Copper oxide in its final stage is close to being an insulator. 
 ( Earth oxygen levels note: it is not uncommon to dig up objects buried deep that have minimal corrosion/aging)
  
 Note: A battery powered drill and long bit can be used to start a hole in frozen earth for a  ground rod. 
  
 73
 Bruce-K1FZ
 www.qsl.net/k1fz/beveragenotes.html
  
  
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