[IRCA] New receiver ground

[mwdxer@xxxxxxxxx (Patrick Martin)]

Hi everyone,

After I read about Bill Block's addition of a new 10 foot piece of
copper pipe pounded into the ground for his receiver there in Prescott
Valley AZ, this morning I stopped by a lumberyard in Gearhart (near
Seaside), and picked up one 10 foot piece of copper pipe like I have
been installing for the EWE and beverage antennas. But in those cases I
would cut the piping in two pieces, fiquring with how wet the soil is
here, a series of 5 foot copper pipes would be plenty. After all the
yard is loaded with copper piping as I have been installing more and
more. But one ground I have not made a change in since I moved in out
here was the receiver ground.  The single 5 foot copperclad Radio Shack
rod was in the ground under the house. Lightening is very rare here, so
I never was concerned anyway.  So, I thought, I should install something
better than that for the receivers. I have all three (R8, SPR4, and
R1000) tied to the one single 5 foot rod for well over 20 years. Well, I
thought, why not put the whole 10 foot copper pipe in the ground instead
of cutting in two. I found a soft spot about a foot from where the old
one is and pushed the 10 foot rod into the ground maybe 18 inches. I
then got the ladder out and climbed up and started to pound the 10 foot
section strainght into the ground. It took some effort, but 20 minutes
later only 2 inches stuck out. Fortunally no big tree roots or rocks.
The question everyone is asking, was it worth the effort? Probably not,
but it did made a slight difference in the noise level. You can hear it
with your ear by disconnecting the new ground leaving the old one, but
will it make any difference DXwise? I kind of doubt it, but who knows?
But at least that ground to the receivers is a good one now.. I think I
have come to the end as any more ground rods I add will make little
difference here, with our wet soil.  And my arms are getting tired. hi.

73,

Patrick

Patrick Martin
KAVT Reception Manager

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