"Tim Shoppa" wrote in message
ups.com...
Richard Clark wrote:
On Sun, 17 Jun 2007 10:35:06 -0700, Tim Shoppa
wrote:
The choice of 6 AWG, I suppose, was driven (or should have been
driven) by code.

That's true. It also seemed stupid to use 22AWG wire after driving
down a 5/8" diameter ground rod :-). Still, copper is so damn
expensive today!
===================
The ground rod diameter is large because of (physical) necessity since it
must endure a pounding on one end without bending, so don't feel like the
diameter of the ground rods make it necessary to use large wire.
I have used 12 ga (as radials) (not as bonding conductors per the NEC).
You're right copper is high.
=================

While the rods were laid out in a roughly radial pattern from the
entrance panel, the driveways kept me from doing the world's best
radial pattern :-).

Yes, these are all bonded to the existing older ground system at the
entrance panel. I also measured the resistance to the older ground
system and it seems the old system barely met code.

================
it would be interesting to see what difference it would make if you just
burried the same dollars-worth of 12ga wire about 2 or 3 inches and omit
most of the ground rods..
==========
All my antennas are dipoles hung between trees right now, but I used
to have a vertical (4BTV) a few decades ago. I look at pictures of the
AV-18HT in the catalogs with a lot of envy in my eyes!

Tim.