On Apr 18, 2:32*pm, "Michael" wrote:

* * * Three Star Snip * * *

- I already have a di-pole. *A 102' G5RV on my roof. *
- I'm building a second antenna because my current
- 150' long wire has fallen apart on the roof after being
- up there for three years.

For many Shortwave Radio Listners (SWLs) 3-Years is a
fair amount of time for an SWL Antenna to be in the Air.

Usually at least once a Year you should Inspect all the
Connections {Electro-&-Mechanical} and the Antenna
Wire Element(s) and Rigging Ropes.

- I have an ICE-180 balun that I can take off of that mess,
- so I figured I'd use that in the construction of something
- that can make use of it, like an inverted L.

That is a good 'practical' idea. The ICE 180 will get a little
dirty and weathered on the outside but inside it should be
As-Good-as-New.

-*So far I just spent money on a new 6' ground rod and a
- 20 buck spool of antenna wire. *Under 50 bucks total.

That is a reasonable investment in another Build-Your-Own
{DIY} Shortwave Radio Listners (SWLs) Antenna.

-*Why the hell wont I get an effective ground here with
- a six foot ground rod ??? *

It should work very good if you 'prepare' the Hole and the
Soil before you install the Ground Rod.

- I always thought the ground here in this area had
- great conductivity. *That is why there are so many
- MW transmitters here.

Telamon got your's {Michaels} and MSG's Replies mixed-up.
Michael [ md1966 @ opton line .net ] ~ Michael
MSG ] ~ Michael

Both of you at times Sign your Replies "Michael"
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...7619564b561e99
"You might have soft soils, but in my area the clay
is thick, deep and often hard as rock.
Michael"

Your 6-Foot Brass Ground Rod should do OK.

- BTW... My G5RV works very well from 5 megahertz to
- 10 megahertz. *Is isn't so good below of above that.

The G5RV sounds like : It does what it is Designed to do.

-*My 150' long wire was great for anything above 10 megahertz.

Glad to hear that.

-*Unbelievably, it was also very good for 3 megahertz to 4 megahertz.

Nice to hear that too.

-*I have no idea why.

Me neither.

-*The way I had that one grounded was, I'm sure,
- a poor way to do it. *I have a 12 gauge wire going
- from the radio, up on the roof to the ICE-180 balun's
- ground, and then back down the house to a ground
- rod in the earth. *

You Do What : You Can Do.

- The current ground rod is only 3' long iron bar.
- Don't ask me how, but it worked.

What Works : WORKS !

- Michael

Michael [MD1966] :

How is the New Inverted "L" Antenna Going ?

~ RHF