[TowerTalk] Tower grounding standard tightens

[Jim Jarvis]

Craig Lekutis posted this link, to allow us to see
recent damage reports from towers in Katrina's affected
area.  It also revealed changes in EIA/TIA tower grounding
requirements, to take effect next year:

http://www.wirelessestimator.com/breaking_news.cfm

apparently, you can see the details at 

http://tiaonline.com

However, a quick scan says it sets a 10 ohm standard for
ground resistance for commercial structures.  Requires 10'
ground rods, and connecting conductors of #2, solid.  

While our structures are generally smaller than commercial
broadcast or telecom towers, it strikes me this might cause 
us some thought.  Will local tower regulations start citing
EIA-222?  If so, we'd be required to both install more robust
grounds than are typical for amateurs...and possibly to MEASURE 
the resistance.  

n2ea
jimjarvis at ieee.org