"Joe" wrote in message
news:5Xaae.9574$NU4.2639@attbi_s22...
Just moved into my new home and I am in the process of building my shack
in
my basement. I would like to use my house ground rod and run a heavy
copper
wire from it to a ground strip on my table in my shack for my rig and amp.
I would also like to use this ground rod to ground my Butternut H9V
vertical
antenna. Do you folks think it would be OK to do this or should I buy
another ground rod to install it for the shack and vertical? Thanks for
your help.

Hi Joe,

I have been reading the responses to your request for help with interest.

Perhaps I should have paid more attention to your wording and been more
careful in my response. Though my intention was never 'to teach a hen to
suck eggs'.

My answer, I believe, was correct as far as RF is concerned. This should be
isolated as far as possible from the domestic supply to avoid EMC/RFI
issues.
I should have stressed, however, (eggs and hens beware, here) - All
mains-powered equipment must be earthed for safety reasons. The only
exception to this rule is where equipment is 'double insulated' - otherwise
it must be earthed using the earth pin in the 3-pin mains plug.

'The RF earth is there to divert RF currents away from the mains earth and
safely down to ground. It consists of one or more earth rods driven into the
ground, preferably in damp soil.. These rods aremade for the purpose and are
available from both amateur antenna/feeder suppliers and good electrical
suppliers dealing with the trade and local electricians. These rods are some
two meters long and are usually made from cooper-coated steel. They should
be hammered into the ground close to the shack, taking care to avoid hidden
services and drainage pipes. A heavy cable should be clamped to the rods and
connected directly to the transmitter or AntennaTuning Unit.' The RSBG
guide to Good Radio Housekeeping then refers to a figure showing a typical
arrangement.

Also suggested is keeping any mains leads as short as possible and the low
voltage DC power leads should be fitted with ferrite rings as close to the
equipment as possible.

Mains-born interference can be a significant problem in a densely populated
country such as the UK and as such is given a high profile in the RAE.

This topic has brought to mind something that has been nagging me for some
time. Please see my posting on lightning.

Rob.