Mike,
Yes, it's serious, many times a ground radial system
will be 'better' than a ground rod(s). Given the rocky
ground as in the original post, a radial system would be
much preferable to ground rods.
Given that you get the wires deep enough to be missed
by the lawn mower, what's so dangerous about it?
'Doc

Two possibilities:

1. Try a ground plate. They have the same surface area as the rod, but you
still have to bury it. However, you will still have to find an area you can
dig a hole 1' x 1.5' x (as deep as you can get it, but deeper than 3' should
not be necessary.) How is the moisture in the earth? If it's dry, you have
yet another problem.

2. Buy a 1/2" x 10' copper pipe, thick wall. Solder on a tee (sideways) and
cap the top side, and mount a hose fitting on the perpendicular opening and
attach your garden hose. Cut the 'drilling' end of the pipe off on a slight
angle. (30 degrees?) Now, use a rubber mallet and some finesse, turn on the
water and see if you can coax it down as far as possible. If you hit a big
flat rock surface, you're buggered, but if with a little luck you might get
at least 8+ feet of it into the earth.

Good luck!

Pat

'Doc wrote:


Mike,
Yes, it's serious, many times a ground radial system
will be 'better' than a ground rod(s). Given the rocky
ground as in the original post, a radial system would be
much preferable to ground rods.
Given that you get the wires deep enough to be missed
by the lawn mower, what's so dangerous about it?
'Doc

If it is under the surface, then no problem. But I'm referring to the
laying the wires on the ground comment I've heard of a few times here.
And that would be dangerous for people crossing the lawn, and myself,
after the XYL is done with me! 8^)

- Mike KB3EIA -

Simply lay the wires on the ground. Take old coat hangers and cut 6" pieces
from them. Fold in half and place over the radial wire stapling it to the
ground. By next spring you will not be able to find a wire let alone trip
over it.


"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
t...
'Doc wrote:


Mike,
Yes, it's serious, many times a ground radial system
will be 'better' than a ground rod(s). Given the rocky
ground as in the original post, a radial system would be
much preferable to ground rods.
Given that you get the wires deep enough to be missed
by the lawn mower, what's so dangerous about it?
'Doc

If it is under the surface, then no problem. But I'm referring to the
laying the wires on the ground comment I've heard of a few times here.
And that would be dangerous for people crossing the lawn, and myself,
after the XYL is done with me! 8^)

- Mike KB3EIA -