"Rick (W-A-one-R-K-T)" wrote in message
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OK, per the thread on "Question on grounding rods", I'm supposed to use
8-foot grounding rods rather than twice as many 4-foot rods. I can see
that.

But, we're built on a ledge, one big wide rock that stretches from the
seacoast to the Vermont state line (that's why they call New Hampshire the
"Granite State"). I can get three feet depth at best before running into
solid rock. An electrician friend of mine says I can drive the ground rod
in at a 45-degree angle, but that would still run an 8-foot ground rod to
a depth of more than 5.5 feet below the surface.

Can't be done.

So, what do I do next?


ok, the answer is:

first, you get your electrician friend to install or update your grounding
to meet the building code. that, by definition, takes care of electrical
safety grounding.

Second, you ask him this: "if i install an antenna (tell him tv antenna on
a tower), how do i ground the tower, and how do i connect it to the existing
ground". do what he says right outside your shack and consider that your
lightning/rf ground improvement, this is where you connect your single point
(equipotential as some people like the big term) ground for the shack
entrance.

NOTE: VERY IMPORTANT! any ground you do for lighting protection for
antennas or for rf MUST be connected PROPERLY to your house power ground...
this is not done through the 3rd prong on your power cords. nor is it done
through a cold water pipe, nor a piece of 14ga wire wrapped around the
ground rod.

Third, if you put up a vertical or some other antenna requiring a ground
screen to reduce losses that must also be connected the same way to your
power ground. the shield of the coax is NOT sufficient.