Re: water pipe RF ground. (fwd)

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2007 06:47:52 -0700
From: Jim Lux <jimlux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>, tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: water pipe RF ground. (fwd)

At 05:25 AM 8/31/2007, Tesla list wrote:

>---------- Forwarded message ----------
>Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 23:13:51 -0500
>From: Glen McGowan <glen.mcgowan@xxxxxxxxx>
>To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: Re: water pipe RF ground. (fwd)
>
>Will a counterpoise work if you live on the second or third floor?  For some
>reason I had it in my mind that a counterpoise had to be laying close to
>earth not suspended in mid air (relative to earth ground).  I suspect a fair
>bit of education is heading my way.  :D


Yes it will work.. the counterpoise forms an "artificial ground"  In 
fact, that's the primary benefit.




>I used a counterpoise briefly in my garage until the water/gas pipe caught
>my eye. I'm actually clamped on where it physically comes up from the dirt
>into the house.


Hooking anything to a gas pipe is a strict no-no.  For one thing, the 
actual buried pipe could be plastic, and only the riser is metal. 
(this is quite common in new construction).  But even if not, there's 
lots of rules about not using gas pipes for this purpose.

And, just because the pipe that emerges from the dirt is metal 
doesn't mean that the pipe isn't hooked to a plastic pipe below (for 
water, gas, or electric).  For instance, electrical conduit, if 
buried, can be plastic, but the part sticking up has to be metal (in 
some cases).. so you just have a plastic glue on fitting to metal 
threaded coupling.