Old Water Pipe Earth

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 37, 28 March 1929, Page 32

Old Water Pipe Earth

AN AMERICAN TIP. A LISTENER writes to the American radio Press: "Having tried various ‘grounds’ for receiving sets from wells to water-pipes and from coils to sunken radiators. I find that the following serves me best. The parts required consist of a piece of 43-inch gal-vanised-iron pipe eight feet long, and some copper ribbon (such as is found in an old Ford car magneto and which

may be procured for little or nothing from a Ford garage or auto parts junk man). ‘This ribbon is covered with a shellacked paper, which may be easily removed after it is unwound by boiling in water for a few minutes. The copper is then sandpapered on both sides and is wound diagonally (like the handle of a golf stick) over the pipe, starting at the extreme ¢ d, and fastened either by a slot the pipe or by soldering or with*s fine screw. ‘The joint made by continuing the lengths of ribbon may either be soldered or fastened and may be hammered to follow the pipe closely, The upper end of the ribbon can be soldered, or it can be held by several turns of copper wire. The pipe can then be driven into the ground, until about one foot remains above the surface, and the ground wire from the receiver, attached. In.dry weather fill the pipe with water several times before using the set, and you will have a ground which cannot be improved upon, in my experience.