Message-ID: <3AEF0388.4A2F96EA@alg.demon.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 01 May 2001 19:42:16 +0100
From: "Steve Rawlings" <steve@alg.demon.co.uk>
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To: "LF Group" <rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org>
Subject: Re: LF: Ground Systems
References: <MABBJEMPFOMPDAPJLNECGEGDDMAA.kd4wov@earthlink.net>
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Tom KD4WOV wrote:
> 
> I am curious about the grounding systems people are using.
> Is anyone using multiple ground rods bonded together?
> Is anyone using a well that is drilled into the water table?
> 
> Has anyone used sheets of metal buried vertically in the ground 
> as a earth ground?

> I am curious, because i know on the lower ham bands 160 - 40 meter
> a multiple ground rod system or a water well is a must for a good
> ground system to be effective.
I know that Graham G3XTZ - who has put in an extensive ground
system - gets out really well on MF (160 m) and LF (136 kHz).  

But the lack of a custom ground system at my QTH seems to be less
of a disadvantage on 136 kHz when compared to, say, 160 m.  My
ground 
on LF is a connection to an outside cold water tap. 
This in turn connects to all our internal copper plumbing; and to
the
incoming (metal) water main; and to the mains
earth.  Both the water main and the mains earth provide
additional connections to large numbers of properties throughout
the neighbourhood - forming quite an extensive ground system! 
Good enough at 136 kHz, anyway.

I have found that no change in antenna current occurs when
connecting 
additional earth rods located in the corners of our small plot.

I am reasonably sure that my effective 'utility' earth is one of
the 
key factors that has enabled me to make so many DX QSOs on 136
kHz 
using just a basic 12 m vertical.  

Regards to all,
Steve GW4ALG