I'll be going into a park, operating from a park bench via battery
ft897d and a nice dipole strung up in the trees

wondering should i have some sort of ground to my rig or what ever while
sitting on this bench?

how would i achiee that take a copper spike and wack it into the ground

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A ground connection is unnecessary with a dipole, whether the feedline is
coaxial or twin wire. You are not mains operated or running a kilowatt..

A single earth spike is useles for a ground connection whatever the
circumstances.

If it makes you feel safer, while sitting on your parkbench, you could
connect the ground terminal on your transmitter to a 2-feet long earth spike
via a 3-feet length of 18-gauge, flexible, multi-strand, plastic insulated
wire.

Don't forget to take an umbrella with you!
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Reg.