I would think there is a ground potential issue as well with any lightning 
strike.
IE, if ground rods are too close together, they won't help to dissipate the 
electricity properly over a distance.
Is that correct howard?
I think when you said saturation it would refer to the diminishing ground 
potential going out from the closest ground rod to the lightning strike...
We don't have much of a problem with lightning here, so I've never worried 
about a grounding system for any of my antennas.
As long as there are near by trees taller than the antenna, I don't worry 
too much.
Of course, knock on wood lol.

73
Colin, V A6BS
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Howard, W A 9 Y B W" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2012 3:46 PM
Subject: Re: grounding question


> Hi Junior,
>
> Steve's response is correct, however, I want to expand on it.  From what I
> understand, ground rods should be spaced apart at a distance equal to 
> twice
> their length.  So for example, eight foot rods would be spaced sixteen 
> feet
> apart.  The reason for this is that the earth gets saturated by a 
> lightning
> strike for  a radius around the rod equal to the length of the rod.  If 
> you
> place rods to close to each other, the earth cannot dissipate the 
> lightning
> strike efficiently.  If rods are too close together you are wasting the 
> rod
> because it cannot work properly.
>
> I have been studying about this lately and I am sticking to my story also.
>
> 73's
>
> Howard #3, W A 9 Y B W
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Junior Lolley" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2012 7:37 AM
> Subject: grounding question
>
>
>>A grounding question for some of you more experienced hams.
>> I had a phone company tech tell me that if two ground rods were less than
>> 8
>> foot a part they canceled each other out.
>> And then wasn't really any good.
>> Is this correct?
>> And if so what is the proper distance for 2 ground rods to be a par?
>> I want to get the best ground possible for my tower and radio.
>> I just don't have that much experience in grounding.
>> I would appreciate any help on this.
>>
>>
>> Junior Lolley KG4itd
>> Liberty County Emergency Coordinator