[TowerTalk] Short Ground Rods??

[Gary Schafer]

Red wrote:
> Transmission to earth may also be enhanced by increasing the area of 
> contact between grounding elements, either rod or radial, by using 
> elements of greater area or by enhancing their area by encasing them in 
> concrete.  The latter is sometimes further enhanced by the use of 
> concrete of higher than usual conductivity. 
> 73 de WOØW


Increasing the surface area of a ground rod does little to increase 
conductance. It is length that counts. That is the reason for spacing 
rods some distance apart rather than having them close together.
Rods have an effective area in a sort of sphere around them in the soil. 
  Increasing their diameter does not increase that sphere of effectiveness.

Encasing rods in concrete increases conductivity because concrete holds 
moisture in its vicinity rather well.

73
Gary  K4FMX