Rick (W-A-one-R-K-T) wrote:
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?

======================================
Don't know your private land situation , but instead of the
'prescribed' 8ft rods you can obtain an excellent rf earthing system by
covering an area with 'galvanised chicken wire mesh 'pegging the mesh to
1 or more short rods or stainless steel pins as used for the BBQ

If you have a grass lawn in your garden cover an area ,the larger the
better, with the above mesh. Within a few weeks ,if not earlier ,the
grass will make the mesh invisible and you will be able to apply a
lawnmower over the mesh to cut the grass.

Ensure the mesh is well connected to a rod via a jubilee clip which also
connected to the shortest possible length of insulated ,thick wire to
the shack. The jubilee clip with mesh and wire connected should be
protected against corrosion by means of self-amalgamating tape

The wire mesh is also a good alternative to multiple radials when using
a vertical antenna

I remember the situation with a Butternut vertical antenna which
initially only had 1 ground spike ,but when surrounded by wire mesh
,signal reports improved by 1 to 2 S-points.


Frank GM0CSZ / KN6WH