LF: Earth electrodes

[John Bruce McCreath <weazle@hurontel.on.ca>]

Hello LFers,

While laying in bed this morning pondering the inside of my eyelids I got to 
thinking about the electrodes used
for "through the earth" communications.  What is more important, the depth of 
the electrode or its surface area?
A typical 3/4 inch diameter by 4 foot long ground rod has a surface area of 113 
square inches, while a metal
plate 1 foot square has a surface area of 288 square inches.  If depth is the 
key, then obviously the rods have
the advantage, but if it's surface area, the plates win hands down.  Even in 
stoney soil, it's relatively easy to
make a slit-like hole into which could be slipped a sheet of galvanized metal 
with a lead attached.  To make
a good connection to the surrounding soil, pour some "kitty litter" into the 
slit and moisten it with water so as
to improve the contact between the plate and the surrounding soil.  Am I onto 
something here or have I
overlooked some important detail?   

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.830 kHz. QRSS30