[80m] Elevated radials for 80M

Wed, 2 Oct 2002 15:05:06 -0700

I started out 10 years ago with a single "striped" Hy-Gain Hy-tower. Just
the 24' tower and a heavy duty 14' irrigation pipe, then the rest of the
standard top section. Total height is 63'. I used 120 radials, like all
antenna books say "will work the best". I tried elevated radials (four) and
they were nothing compared to the ground radial system. You can really hear
the difference.  Elevated radials work, but they are a compensation to
ground radials. I didn't notice any difference in performance when I went
over 100 radials. But under 100, I did. My base impedance is 22 ohms in all
radiators.  I went to a pair of hy-towers, and went the N-S   E-W 2-figure
8's. I had that for 2 years and then went to the 4 square. Using 4-
Hy-towers, 63' high, the Comtek switching array, and 120 radials from EVERY
tower. I have 23,000 (yes, thousand) feet of radials. Number 12 copper,
double shielded for weather protection and buried with grass clippings over
the years. Some are 40' long...90 feet long, 120 feet long, and others go in
the drain field, clear around the house. They can go around
corners..whatever. My antenna system takes up 1/2 acre. It doesn't compare
to any of the 3-element yagi's..but beats out EVERY 2-element yagi on the
west coast! The secret to radial systems: Put out as many as you can...as
long as you can make 'em. Please, don't anyone tell my wife what a 500' roll
of #12 copper wire costs!  And, in Bend Oregon, I had to use all new @ about
$40.00 a roll! About $1800.00. No, I didn't have to use #12. You can use
just about use any size you want. But, I wanted the ground currents
reflected as much as possible, and I wanted something that would last years
and years. It's been 8 years, and the system looks and performs like new. If
at all possible....go ground-mounted radials.
Best 73.

Bill Sawders, K7ZM
Bend, Or.

Best 73.

Bill Sawders, K7ZM
Bend, Or.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Fisher, W4AN" <[email protected]>
To: "Stan Dicks" <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 02, 2002 7:35 AM
Subject: RE: [80m] Elevated radials for 80M

> > or if you can't abide the annual labor to run the ground radials, four
> > elevated radials do work. On a single vertical, they are probably very
> > close to the performance of 40 ground radials and within a 2 or 3 db's
> > of 60-120 radials. Good luck; maybe the low bands will be better this
> > season.
> >
> > 73,
> > Stan, W4AG
>
> Hi Stan!
>
> Sure is interesting when you and I are in the same pile-up.  :)
>
> My experience is that the difference is more than 3db.  Like you, I have
> no side-by-side comparison, but I do have experience comparing to another
> antenna that didn't change.  These tests were on 20 meters, not 80 meters.
> So that could change things also.
>
> I know there is something to paying attention to the details.  I've
> operated at W8JI's station many times.  He pays attention and understands
> all the details.  His station is the most amazing thing I've ever
> experienced in radio in my 25 years doing it, and I've operated at a lot
> of big contest stations.  I think all the small details add up to a big
> difference.
>
> 73
>
> Bill, W4AN
>
>
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