[80m] Elevated radials for 80M

[Merv Stump]

I have to agree with Bill on all counts.  My story is pretty much the same.
Started with 1 vertical with 30 radials, grew to 2 verticals,  and
eventually 4 verticals with 60 radials under each.  Tried elevated radials
along the way, but was just never happy with them.  In so far as possible I
tried to make the radials 1/4 wave length long and run them straight.  But
many are shorter, some are longer and many are not straight.  Incidentally,
most of my radials are made of coax (the surplus man said I'll sell you
what's left on all those spools for $3 a spool - ended up costing me about
1/2 cent per foot)  My verticals are #12 insulated wire pulled up in the
four trees that were the closest to the corners of a 65 foot square.

Did make one significant change and ran with it all last year.  Had Jim
Miller make me a ComTek box with -120/-240 degree phasing instead
of -90/-180.  Models indicate approximately 0.5db improvement in gain, about
a 5db improvement in front to back, and about a 10db improvement in front to
side.  No way to do an A/B comparison but after running this way all last
year I believe the models to be accurate.  Incidentally, W8JI confirms that
he runs his 160 meter system with -120/-240 degree phasing.

Bottom line, all 4square's work, but some work better than others - I do
believe ground radials work better than elevated.  The antenna is very
forgiving, and after fifteen years I still keep thinking of new things to
try.

Merv, W2OE