Hi Jack

Thanks for the clarifications. The NEC 2002 book was a reference book
and required just sitting there and reading it rather than checking it
out. FWIW, there isn't much "context" on the antenna requirement other
than the blanket assertion of wire gauge vs unsupported span. I find it
interesting that 18th edition of the ARRL Antenna Book also references
this same NEC section then goes on to mention in another area of the
book how to use finer gauge wires to make stealthy antennas. Right hand
not knowing about the left hand???

As you noted I wouldn't dream of modifying the electrical ground system
of the mains of the house. I'm only going to put a little parade of
ground rods on the path to the mains ground rod and daisy chain them
all together with #2 with a pair of clamps on each rod. It will only
take two additional rods to get around the corner and up to the service
ground. I'll have to dig down to get to it I suppose.

There will be one ground rod out under the antenna feed drop in the
woods where the ICE unit will be directly mounted on the ground rod.
The tuner will also be located there after the arrestor.

From there the RG213 and control line from the tuner will run
underground about 60ft to the house where they will connect to the
shack ground rod just outside the window. The single point ground
inside the shack will drop out to this rod on about a 4ft run of copper
something. It's this ground rod that will connect to the other two and
finally to the service ground via the #2 daisy chain.

Coax (RG8x) is used to enter the house from the ground point so that
shouldn't be an issue per the code.

Since the antenna wire is actually out in the woods and 60ft or more
from the house I'm going ahead with the 18AWG copper-clad steel and not
worry about it.

I've got everything I need to finish this installation except the ICE
unit which is supposed to arrive today. Fingers crossed...

tnx
jtm