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Re: ground problems




From: 	Bert Hickman[SMTP:bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-com]
Reply To: 	bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-com
Sent: 	Tuesday, September 16, 1997 11:44 PM
To: 	Tesla List
Subject: 	Re: ground problems

Tesla List wrote:
> 
> From:   Geoff Schecht[SMTP:geoffs-at-onr-dot-com]
> Sent:   Tuesday, September 16, 1997 11:38 AM
> To:     Tesla List
> Subject:        Re: ground problems
> 
> > From:         Bert Hickman[SMTP:bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-com]
> > Reply To:     bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-com
> > Sent:         Tuesday, September 16, 1997 8:12 AM
> > To:   Tesla List
> > Subject:      Re: ground problems
> >
> > Tesla List wrote:
> > >
> > > From:   Mad Coiler[SMTP:tesla_coiler-at-hotmail-dot-com]
> > > Sent:   Monday, September 15, 1997 6:55 PM
> > > To:     tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> > > Subject:        ground problems
> > >
> > > I am back in Columbus for a while and have one problem. I am on the
> > > second level in an apartment building. Does anyone have any suggestions
> > > about how I can get a descent ground? I have been using the cold water
> > > copper pipe to the sink but have been informed that it is a fire risk.
> I
> > > suppose I might have to take it to a friends house if that is possible.
> > > So far I haven't had any noise complaints, but only because I havent
> run
> > > it past 8pm.
> > >
> > > Mad Coiler
> >
> >
> > Mad,
> >
> > Because of the use of plastic plumbing in many areas, your ground may
> > not really be a ground. To determine if it is, take an ohmmeter and
> > carefully measure the resistance between the ground connection (the
> > third prong on a nearby AC outlet) and your cold water copper pipe
> > ground. If you get good continuity (say 20 ohms or less), then you
> > should be OK. Another alternative ground is the ironwork of the building
> > you're in if it happens to be an iron-concrete type structure, or as a
> > last resort, the AC ground itself if you have a small coil.
> >
> > -- Bert --
> >
> 
> Hello All:
> 
> I've used soldered-together sections of "chicken wire" as a form of radial
> system (counterpoise) for my vertical ham antennas from time to time. It
> works fairly well in that application and is quite cheap. Any
> opinions/experience from other list members about how this might work with
> a TC that needs a grounding system? It's an RF ground, though, not a safety
> (green-wire, in the US) ground.
> 
> Geoff (NQ7A)

Geoff,

Good point, Geoff. I considered suggesting a counterpoise, but it wasn't
clear if Mad Coiler's apartment was wood/frame construction or steel
beam/concrete. A counterpoise could work very well, especially if Mad
Coiler lived on the first floor. Since Mad Coiler lives on the second
floor, an elevated counterpoise would still work very well if he was in
a steel/concrete building, and less so if he lived in a wood/frame
environment.  

-- Bert --