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

The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires that all external ground rods, such as those used for your antenna tower and your home's main electrical service panel, must be bonded together with heavy wire or a conductive strap. This creates a single, unified grounding system for your entire station. Bonding them together is essential for lightning protection. If a lightning strike occurs and the ground rods are isolated from each other, a massive voltage difference can develop between them. This potential difference will force devastating electrical currents through your home's wiring and radio equipment as the energy seeks a path to equalize. The incorrect options suggest harmful or ineffective practices. Keeping ground rods far apart without bonding actually increases the risk of dangerous voltage differentials. Tuning them for resonance is a concept that applies to antennas, not ground systems, and waterproofing them with tape provides no electrical safety benefit.