I am trying to work with the confines of a 1/3 acre lot with a house and other physical limitations.  My main question is this:  Is it a must to place the ground radials under the vertical antenna, or can they be more conveniently located and tied into the ground system. 

The reason for asking is this.  I can easily bury many ground radials on my property, but the location of where I need to hide a vertical antenna and/or load up a rain gutter is not conducive to easy and symmetrical ground radial installation. 

As everything in life and the design of my shack is a compromise, I wonder can I place the ground radials throughout my property and place a vertical or two any where I can hide them (which would not be directly above the radials)?

Thanks in Advance,
Adam
KG4PES

Please note as I ask this question I have consumed http://www.w8ji.com as well as anything else I can get my brain around in my nice sized ARRL library.  But I am looking for reassurance and/or constructive criticism to improve the ground system as I slowly build out the the station.  So give me your lessons learned and anything else I should consider.

This weekend I ran a 2" wide copper strap from the outside where the electrical ground wires exit the house around the corner to the back of the house and 25 feet over to where my coax will enter the house under the deck.  I plan to use this as the outside bulkhead with polyphaser lightning protection.  Questions about this:
1. I could not dig down to find the rod but I am bonded to the wires from each of my panels right where they plunge into the ground on the outside of the house.  Is this ok?
2.  I measured the resistance with my multimeter across the ground wires to the copper strap and it fluctuated between 0 and 0.2 ohm.  I am assuming this indicates a good clean path to ground?

On the inside of the house I used what I had left, some 4 gauge stranded wire that is not shielded but covered in a very strong jacket.  I took one run from the ground wires on the inside just after they come off the panel and ran them to where the bulkhead is to bring the radio wiring into the house.  Essentially what i have is a mirror run outside/inside, with 2" copper strap outside and 4 gauge wire inside.  Questions about this:

1.  Any issues using 4 gauge inside the house like this?  I have 25 foot run from the panels to the inside bulkhead and about 30 feet from the bulk head up to my operating positing in the office.  It is all I had left wire wise and funds are low, so I am trying to use every scrap I have.
2. Again all my resistance reading with my multimeter never really goes above 0.2 ohm.  this should be good right?

At the last hamfest I picked up about 3 1/4" 6 foot ground rods.  I know they aren't 8' and not the 1/2 or bigger, but... They were cheap and I grabbed them.

I am thinking about running straight out away from the house in line about 1 rod length apart.  Is this worth it, a waste of time/rods?  Should I use them elsewhere? 

Thanks in advance.

Adam
KG4PES

Thanks for the link, I have had that one bookmarked for ever.  I have read it many times in the past it is a close model of what I have been planning and have under construction. 

I am in the process of building my shack and have just started the run of main transmission and control wires from my preferred operating position in my office.

My basement is unfinished and gives me perfect access underneath the office and directly to the outside.  With one potential issue.  running the whole width of my house are 2 subpanel power lines going from my main breakers to the opposite end of the house for the outside hookup and disconnects for my outdoor compressors for my heat pump. 

The is no easy (or cheap cable wise) way to avoid running my lines across these two wires, as this is the most direct 40 foot run to run cables from the front of the house to the back.  Currently the only lines running over them are 5 LMR-400 lines, 2 shielded 8 wire rotator control wires, and a shielded heavy guage ground cable.  The are not directly on or touching the power lines and have several inches of clearance.  They cross the power lines perpendicular to them for about 1'2 an ich on each line wich are about 5 feet apart.

Thank you for any guidance on this matter.  I am concerned with risk of electrical issues, interference on the transmission lines,problems with rotator contol, and groudn.  any general comments on the matter and or safety are welcomed.

Thanks in advance for your responses.
73's KG4PES

Well I have a new QTH and have begun the construction of the shack and the supporing subsystems.  I would like to get some feedback on what I have done and what I am planning before I get to far.

I am working on the Ground system at the moment.  Here is what I have done so far.

1. Sunk 8' ground rod outside window of ground level shack.  The window is literally 2' off the ground.  6 AWG stranded wire to the internal ground distribution panel.  The run is less than 15'

2. Build ground distribution bus in shack.  All equipment has a 6 AWG stranded wire to the ground distribution point.


Questions:

1.  Any problems with the initial setup?
2.  I have seen references to an RF ground and an Electrical ground.  Do I need 2 different ground rods for this?
3.  The ground rod is not tied into any exisitng ground systems of my house. Is this needed?


Thanks for the help
Adam
KG4PES

As I lease the vehicle I am not interested in drilling, cutting or any majorly permanent installation.  Any one done this in a 325i, and have some hints?  Anyone know good hideaway antennas that are not mag mount?  i saw one from Diamond that mounts in the trunck and folds away, any experience with this?



Thanks
adam
KG4PES

I am new to HAM and just recieved my Tech license.  I have found a few clubs on the internet in the area.  I am in Tysons Corner and looking for recomendations for clubs in the area.  I am very interested in satelite work and HF DX'ing

looking for a good elmer/club in the area


Adam
KG4PES

I understand the need for an earth ground.  I rent a single family home and have done a thorough inspection.  The cold water pipes are inadequate for a good ground and I cant find an exisitng ground.  I am uncoforatable with using the ground plug of an electrical socket, as I have read about this option.

What options do I have?  How difficult is it,a nd expensive, to install the 8 foot rod i have read about.  This seems like it could be a projct.  Keep in mind I do not own the house and will not be there for much longer.  

Thanks in advance
Adam
KG4PES