Ed wrote:
I am only interested in the long term reliability of an aluminum ground
system in comparison to the more common copper system. This is for
lightning suppression only, I am not addressing RF issues. I am wondering
if aluminum can handle the potential surge currents that copper can... and
how well does its ground conductivity work when buried, when compared to
copper.


For surge currents only, Al would need to be thicker than Cu of equal
handling capacity. If you are stressing things to the max, Al has a
lower melting point.

It would work for RF ground also. The oxide layer would not affect the
performance. Lots of us use insulated copper wire for ground radials.

Only concern I would have is that the electrical connections are
properly made. AL's talent for oxidizing has been a problem in the past
with house wiring.

- 73 de Mike N3LI -