[SBE] Theft of copper radials

[Mike Langner]

Among the things I've done -- several of which I've listed in previous
posts -- is use copper-clad aluminum.  It's virtually worthless as scrap --
and I left a lot of short pieces on the ground so that thieves would learn
from where they "fence" their booty that there is no value. It worked until
I retired.  After that, I have no idea. . .

Nowadays, annealed copper clad steel is available from Copperweld -- it's
been used by the US Government in buried applications for years. Unlike the
hard-drawn Copperweld we've all fought to keep from tangling badly, the
annealed isn't springy and is easy to work with. Copperweld has extensive
tests that indicate the longevity in the ground is excellent.

I have no connection with or interest in Copperweld --

Mike Langner
Albuquerque, NM
_________________________


-----Original Message-----
From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org [mailto:sbe-bounces at sbe.org]On Behalf Of k7cr
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 6:59 PM
To: sbe member discussion mail list
Subject: Re: [SBE] Theft of copper radials


I've been thinking about this issue...Here's a thought or two -

Install the normal ground system, except around the tower,
where thieves like to dig first, Place a 'dummy' ground system down,
then about 6 inches below that, put in the real McCoy.

or

Still wonder what's wrong with a few strategically placed
Jacob's Ladders around the tower? Seems to me that something
to scare away the bums, inside the tower fence of course, could
be helpful.   The problem is that there is nothing around a standard
AM tower that would give the appearance that someone might
get hurt.  Certainly Danger-High-Voltage signs won't do it, but
something that actually looks threatening might.   Should check
this out with your lawyer first.

Clay Freinwald


----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Rapak" <DanRapak at verizon.net>
To: "sbe member discussion mail list" <sbe at sbe.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 3:47 PM
Subject: [SBE] Theft of copper radials



> I've been following this thread for awhile. I seem to recall many years

> ago (the 70's perhaps?) that a station was having problems with their

> ground radials being stolen repeatedly. They did a little engineering

> work and ultimately received permission from the FCC to replace the

> radials with barbed wire. Cheaper to replace the barbed wire

> periodically when it deteriorated than to constantly replace the stolen

> copper. There was reportedly very little impact on their signal coverage

> and the thievery abruptly ceased.

>

> I'm sure the effect on signal coverage would have a great deal to do

> with the conductivity of the native soil, but for what its worth.....

>

> Dan Rapak

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>


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