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[K2JF]

I live in the city and can't get a place to pound in a ground rod. Also too far away from any cold water pipes. I do have baseboard heating under my rig area. Is that a possibility?

[K4GTE]

I'd suggest picking up a copy of the ARRL's "Grounding and Bonding For The Radio Amateur". There might be options in there. Personally, I'd drive a ground rod, even if I had to go through concrete.

[WB6BYU]

The first question always should be, "what is the purpose
of the ground rod?"

That's because there are several different types of grounds,
with different requirements for each.  Nobody can give you
a good answer until we know why you want a ground.

[W6SWO]

MFJ makes an artificial ground box which uses a tuned counterpoise, which is just a hunk of wire you throw along the baseboard .  I've used it and it works.

[K5LXP]

You need a portable ground.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM

[K0UA]

Some time back I saw an interesting product, I think it was made by the Acme corporation, and was modeled by a fellow who I believe his name was Coyote, called "instant hole".  It looked to me that this would be a very promising grounding solution. Just pour some out and a near bottomless hole forms that you could easily drop a piece of bare copper wire into and refill and repack with ordinary dirt. It sure beats trying to pound in ground rods in the rocks we have around here. I am not quite sure what vender to buy it from or whether Acme sells direct. But it might be worth checking into. Of course provided we figure out why we need a ground wire in the first place. But it would be useful for fence post's etc. too. If you poured out enough of it to make a large diameter hole, it could be useful for hiding dead bodies 

[K6BRN]

Some time back I saw an interesting product, I think it was made by the Acme corporation...

James:

I believe ACME was acquired by MFJ and now the "Instant Holes" are only 2mm deep.  Not enough for a good ground. 

Rumor has it that MFJ also offers deluxe "Hoffa Holes" that are slightly deeper.  Not sure what they're used for.

Brian - K6BRN

[SWMAN]

 Yes, MFJ is calling them Holey Cow.

[KB2WIG]

I think people have had problems with the MFJ product. MFJ only sends a half, not a hole.

KLC

[KD2HCU]

Perhaps a counterpoise, or several might help.

[AA4PB]

Is that "old time" hot water baseboard heat connected with metal pipes? I once lived on the 2nd story of a dorm that had that type of heating system and it made an excellent counterpoise for an end fed wire antenna. Lots of 20M DX. I expect that modern buildings use non-metal pipe which would do you no good.
 

[WA3SKN]

What did the power company use for ground?  Bond to that.

-Mike.

[AI5BC]

11 replies and only one correct answer. the answer is simple, follow electrical codes and best practices. Bond you coax to the same ground your AC service uses. You do not have a choice.

That was easy.

[RFRY]

11 replies and only one correct answer. the answer is simple, follow electrical codes and best practices. Bond you coax to the same ground your AC service uses. You do not have a choice.

However that choice can result in an efficient and maybe unsuspected, radiating part of an antenna system (see below).

[K0UA]

Some time back I saw an interesting product, I think it was made by the Acme corporation...

James:

I believe ACME was acquired by MFJ and now the "Instant Holes" are only 2mm deep.  Not enough for a good ground. 

Rumor has it that MFJ also offers deluxe "Hoffa Holes" that are slightly deeper.  Not sure what they're used for.

Brian - K6BRN

Yeah like a lot of their acquisitions, take a perfectly good product and.........