Deep Dive: T0B08
The correct answer is D: Separate eight-foot ground rods for each tower leg, bonded to the tower and each other. A proper grounding method for a tower is separate eight-foot ground rods for each tower leg, bonded to the tower and each other. This provides multiple ground paths and low resistance. Each leg gets its own ground rod, and all rods are bonded together and to the tower. For amateur radio operators, this creates an effective ground system for lightning protection. Understanding proper tower grounding helps protect equipment and people.
Why Other Answers Are Wrong
Option A: Incorrect. A single four-foot ground rod is insufficient - towers need multiple, deeper ground rods for effective lightning protection. Four feet is also too shallow. Option B: Incorrect. A ferrite-core RF choke is for blocking RF on cables, not for tower grounding. It doesn't provide a ground path for lightning. Option C: Incorrect. Connecting to a cold water pipe isn't proper tower grounding - water pipes may not provide adequate ground, and the connection may not be reliable. Dedicated ground rods are required.
Exam Tip
Tower grounding = separate 8-foot rods for each leg, bonded together. Think 'M'ultiple 'R'ods = 'M'ultiple 'R'outes to ground. Each leg gets its own 8-foot rod, all bonded together. Not single rod, not RF choke, not water pipe.
Memory Aid
Tower grounding = separate 8-foot rods for each leg, bonded. Think 'M'ultiple 'R'ods = 'M'ultiple 'R'outes. Each leg gets its own 8-foot ground rod, all bonded together. Effective lightning protection.
Real-World Example
Your tower has 4 legs. You install an 8-foot ground rod at each leg, connecting each rod to its leg with heavy wire. Then you bond all 4 ground rods together with heavy wire or strap, creating a comprehensive ground system. This provides multiple low-resistance paths for lightning energy to reach ground, protecting your equipment and tower.
Source & Coverage
Question Pool: 2022-2026 Question Pool
Subelement: T0B
Reference: 2022-2026 Question Pool · T0 - Safety
Key Concepts
Verified Content
Question from the official FCC Technician Class pool. Explanation reviewed by licensed amateur radio operators and mapped to the T0B topic.