Re: An Electrolytic ground plane

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Original poster: "Wim Bosma" <wbosma-at-stud.tue.nl> 

Hello all,
It is my experience that one copper tube in salt seawater is no good as a HF
ground. I had to use several pieces of galvanised chickenwire, connected
together, as a counterpoise in harbour along the North Sea coast. I was
using the Alu mast of my sailboat as an antenna on a frequency of several
MHz.
As a tip on the use of HF earth electrodes: Drive several copper tubes in
the ground with the help of water pressure. Flatten the end and turn the
tube a little with some pumping during the action. Then fill the tube with
one pound of coppersulfate and pump this with the water pressure into the
ground. This will make the ground better conducting and also keep the tube
from being corroded. Salt is not so good as it will be leaching away and
help corrode the electrode. The copper sulfate will stay in  place in the
ground for a long time. As an alternative, make a small deep hole along each
driven electrode , put a handfull of coppersulfate cristals in each hole and
water these regularly.
This tip comes from an old ARRL book.
  Regards, Willem, PA0TW

 > Original poster: "Dr. Resonance" <resonance-at-jvlnet-dot-com>
 >
 >
 > One can not really compare resonance transformer grounds with commercial
 > power.  The freq difference between 60 Hz and 500 KHz demands a much
better
 > ground system on the secondary inductor.  Conductivities at 60 Hz are
 > inconsequential to good RF design.  HF RF requires the best ground that
one
 > can provide.
 >
 > Use the hole, throw in a tablespoon of salt, add some water, and the
 > re-drive the ground.  The migrating sodium ions will help provide a much
 > more effective ground plane and a bit of water also helps.
 >
 > Better grounds usually equal slightly longer sparks.  We always use a pair
 > of copper rods with salt and water.  The copper rods are driven approx 20
 > feet apart and connected with 2 ought welding cable.
 >
 > Dr. Resonance
 >
 > Resonance Research Corporation
 > E11870 Shadylane Rd.
 > Baraboo   WI   53913