On 27 May 2010 14:13, John Bruce McCreath <[email protected]> wrote:

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