Chain Link Fence ground?

[KW4HKY]

Getting ready to put up my first HF wire.

I was told it was a bad idea to use a chain link fence as a ground.

I was not told why though.

True or false?

 

[wavrider]

HF wire?

Vertical or dipole?

One needs ground radials the other does not.

RF ground or DC ground?

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Getting ready to put up my first HF wire.

I was told it was a bad idea to use a chain link fence as a ground.

I was not told why though.

True or false?

The fence may function as a counterpoise (mirror image of the antenna) but is generally not a good idea for ground. Generally fence connections are rusty and not good and solid. Rusty and poor connections lead to RFI problems. Furthermore the fence is not really grounded that well being made of galvanized steel that is usually corroded somewhat and set in concrete.

 

[W5LZ]

Another aspect of that chain-link fence as an RF ground/counterpoise is that depending on where it's connected (neighbor's fence?) it can end up very close to those neighbor's electronic devices. Almost asking for RFI problems.
I've used such a fence for a 'ground' and quit doing so. Wasn't a very good ground because of those intermittent/less than perfect connections all through that fence (which went around the neighbor's yards all along this whole block, ask me about RFI).
Just not the best idea in the world...
- 'Doc

 

[hookedon6]

using a chain fence sux as a ground. RFI big time:thumbdown:

 

[ranger56528]

Another aspect of that chain-link fence as an RF ground/counterpoise is that depending on where it's connected (neighbor's fence?) it can end up very close to those neighbor's electronic devices. Almost asking for RFI problems.

Take out the neighbors water heater heeheehee ......j/k..