What should be done to all external ground rods or earth connections?

When you have multiple ground rods on your property, such as the main ground for your home's electrical service and an auxiliary ground for your radio tower, they must all be securely bonded together. This is done using a heavy wire or a conductive strap to create a single, equipotential ground system. If lightning strikes nearby and the ground rods are kept separate, massive voltage differences can develop in the earth between them. This immense potential difference will try to equalize by traveling through the path of least resistance: your house's electrical wiring and your radio's coaxial cables. Bonding the rods prevents this destructive surge from tearing through your equipment.