In article ,
"Robert11" wrote:

Hello:

If I purchase a 6 foot length of 3/4 inch O.D. Copper water pipe (and drive
it into the ground), would it be as effective (or better ?) than the 3/4
inch copper-plated-on-steel types they seem to sell expressly for this
purpose ?

Why ?

(This would just be for grounding a Balun for a receive only application)

Like bpnjensen already posted a typical ground rod is copper plated
steel. Steel for strength pounding the rod into the ground and the
copper plating on the outside for conductivity.

If you already have the pipe and the ground is soft enough by all means
use it.

If you are having trouble pounding it in one trick is to buy or thread
the pipe on the top and connect a hose to it pumping water into the
ground to soften it up.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

Telamon wrote:

Like bpnjensen already posted a typical ground rod is copper plated
steel. Steel for strength pounding the rod into the ground and the
copper plating on the outside for conductivity.


Nope...

I have a feeling that the copper plating is for delaying the onset of
corrosion.

and a few hundred web sites agree with that opinion.

http://www.comm-omni.com/polyweb/coppergrrods.htm


mike