Grounding for part 15 station

[doowopvault]

Ias wondering if anybody can me with this problem.I'm setting up a part 15 AM station in june. I live in an urban setting, you know, row homes etc.what would be the best possible ground? please, no drain pipe ground ideas.

 

[FreddyE1977]

If you are not too urban, try to find a local farm supply store like Tractor Supply Co.
They sell copper grounding rods that are used by farmers to ground their electric fence systems.
They are solid copper, around 6" long, and make excellent grounds if you drive them deep
enough in to the earth. With the current world price for copper though, I suspect that
they will be rather expensive.

 

[DeadElvis]

Don't need to go to Tractor Supply (though, it's a fun store). Lowe's, Home Depot, etc., carry ground rods.

They are 8' long (which is electrical code) and not super-expensive. They are not solid copper (they would be really annoying to drive if they were); they are clad in copper. $20 or $30 each, if I remember correctly.

My tower is grounded with 4 of them.

Now, remember to read the regs in Part 15 about AM transmitters. There are specific rules about how long your total antenna system (including ground lead) can be.

DE

 

[FreddyE1977]

Thanks, Elvis

As a former Tractor Supply employee, I would greatly prefer that people shop for these
elsewhere, if possible. ;D

 

[LibertyNT]

An old Rabbit Ear Antenna Works well too. JUst Stick it in the ground and
attach the wire to it. Or you could ground it to the screw on your Electrical Outlet.
And You Could use a Sat. As an Antenna.

 

[DeadElvis]

Or you could ground it to the screw on your Electrical Outlet.

Actually, that would violate FCC rules. According to Part 15 Rules on such AM transmitters, the antenna system may not exceed 10 feet in total. See 47 CFR §15.219. That includes the grounding system.

DE