[TowerTalk] Thoughts on a Grounding System for my new tower

[Jim Lux]

On 9/2/12 9:35 PM, Larry Loen wrote:
> Informative discussion, thanks.
>
> As you discuss ground moisture, keep in mind that I am in the Sonoran
> desert of Arizona.  The regular well that's supposed to supply four
> houses (right now, barely mine) is at least 1000 feet deep (I've
> forgotten the exact number, but much deeper than what I had in
> Minnesota).
>
> If there's a water table nearby, I don't know where it is :) .  I'm
> 1400 feet above sea level and the nearest (dry) river, the Gila, is at
> about 1150.
>
> The ground here is fairly hard; does not retain water well.  Despite
> being 200 feet at least above the nearest flood plain, we worry about
> flash floods when it does rain.  Water doesn't hang around here.
>


Exactly.. That's why I'm not sure about the "drive rods along the ground 
wire between tower and house" advice.    I can see "drive 3 rods in a 10 
foot circle to get a lower resistance next to a power pole"

Of course, your location is the classic and original application of the 
Ufer ground..