Geri,

If you're using a vertical, you probably need radials as well, unless you 
can mount it on a tin roof which will serve as a ground plane.  The length 
of the radials depends on the band you want to use.  In general, they should 
be at least a quarter wave length.  It takes lots of patience to build a 
good radial system, and a vertical just doesn't work well unless you have 
one.  I think verticals work reasonably well at higher frequencies, but I 
prefer a dipole for bands like 75 and 40.

Regarding the ground rod, you want it as close to the shack as you can get 
it.  The idea is to run a piece of wire from the transceiver's ground 
terminal to the rod.  The ground terminal is the bolt on the back of the 
radio with the wing nut and washers.

Steve

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gery Gaubert" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 11:57
Subject: ic751a and butternut


> Ok, If I drive a ground rod at the base of the antenna, will this take
> care of some of the problem?=20
>
>
>