In article 88147f55-b26a-464a-837f-e51aefefc422
@a5g2000prg.googlegroups.com, says...
On Apr 18, 5:15 pm, "David Eduardo" wrote:

* * * Three Star Snip * * *

d'Eduardo -wrote-

- There are actually several reasons for not using a cold water pipe.

- 1. It may appear to be iron pipe, but underground or in
- your foundation or walls, it may convert to a run of PVC
- or other material.

Yes - That is true.

- 2. If all iron pipe is present, washers, corroded fittings
- or pipe sealing materials may make the ground a poor
- one or create a ground loop with the electrical ground
- of the receiver.

Again - That is true.

- 3. In many cases, the "ground" is actually via the mineral
content of the water, not the pipe. In some areas, this is a
lousy ground unless you are running salt water through the
pipes.

Actually the Ground 'connectivity' is the Mineralized Deposits
encrusted within an 'old' cold Water Pipe that give it it's
poor but uniform Conductivity along with the Water in the Pipe.
-Thus- The Cold Water Pipe makes for a 'fair' Electrical Ground
and RF Continuous Drain Grounding Point for the SWL's Radio
Shack and Antennas.

So getting to that Pipe at the point where it is just coming
out of the Ground is the prefered -and- Getting down to the
Main Water Feeder Pipe a few feet under-ground is better.

- 4. As Telemon suggests, a system of radials is best
- (that is why AM stations use them, too).

For Transmitting Yes -but- Most Shortwave Radio Listeners
(SWLs) do not need Radials to have an effective Receive
"Only" Antenna. The SWL simply needs a :
* Good RF Signal Collector {Wire Antenna Element}.
- = Radio / Receiver Connected between the two. = -
* Fair RF Ground Return Path {Ground Rod}.

- 5. It is a good idea to check if there is a ground loop
- or difference of potential between your "real" ground
- made of rods or radials and the electrical ground the
- neutral on the power plug connects to.

Technically and Legally they are required to be BONDED
{Electrically and Mechanically Connected Together}.

- A difference of potential can manifest itself in many ways,
- including damaging the receiver, hum and noise, etc.

Yes that is correct -including- Electical Shock, Fire,
Loss of Home, Personal Injury and Loss of Life.

That is "Why" the Ground Rod is First and Formost for
Electrical Safety [.]

Again - Technically & Legally they are required to be BONDED
{Electrically and Mechanically Connected Together}.

More Reading for the Newbie Shortwave Radio Listner (SWL) :

SWL -Newbies- The Ground Rod is First and Formost for
Electrical Safety and it can also Help to Improve your
Radio Reception.
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...c23d487859bed8

SWL -Newbies- Using a Cold Water Service Pipe For Grounding Point
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...834fc68e65c69c

SWL -Newbies- Outside Cold Water Faucets Are Generally
Poor Grounding Points and NOT Recommended.
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...6562c4b598e6c8

RHF's "Tip" on Ground Wires
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...01254b4099fb75

Question : Are My Chimney Bricks Grounded ? - NO !
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...4497141535c839

Ground Wires : Think Free and Effective !
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...5690ebd538e2f3

SWL -Newbies- Doing-the-Doable : The Wire Antenna
+ Ground Rod + Matching Transfromer + Coax Cable
feed-in-line {Counterpoise} -versus- Many Ground Radials
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...b7432d486275cd

start by building your radio shack from the ground up
and be well grounded - iane ~ RHF {pomkia}
.
Are You Interested in building a better Shortwave Listening*
(SWL) Antenna ? {SWL Group} = http://tinyurl.com/ogvcf
GoTo = http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
.
RHF's Standard "Shortwave Radio Listener (SWL) Antennas Group"
Reference Message Signature-Line = http://tinyurl.com/25zbrg
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...1dac3b4a1798e0
.
* Remember 55.5% of Shortwave Radio Listening (SWL)
is the Shortwave Antenna =http://tinyurl.com/ogvcf
.
RHF's Radio Shack in Twain Harte, California -USA-
SHACK INFO =http://tinyurl.com/2skmxm
Shortwave Radio / Receiver and SWL Antenna Info
.
-=2SKMXM=-
-=25ZBRG=-
SWR3:SWL:INFO
.


I did the waterpipe deal long ago once, but everytime I touched my PS
while keying the mike, or the radio and the PS at the same time, the
"bite" I got was pretty unpleasant. I finally sunk two 10' ground rods,
and have had no problem since.

BDK