[Antennas] Ground Planes

[Mel Vance]

> Let me set up the parameters.  I have a back yard some 50-75 ft by
> 50-75ft.  I am going to have it resodded.  I want to go to Lowes or
> Home Depot and buy copper screening. , Roll it out and solder each
> section together.  After the screening is in place, it will be covered
> by sod.  It I put a mast in the center and bond it to the screen and
> place an all band vertical on the mast, will this satisfy the ground
> plane requirements of a vertical.   This would be great to anyone
> building a new home and in need of an excellent ground plane for a
> vertical.  Any comments would be appreciated and should help others on
> the reflector.
>
Boy...thought I was the only one who had thought of this........
 
Well....part of this will depend on how much you have to spend.........

If the funds are available, I would put 2 or 3 layers, over-lapping the seams, and solder it all 
together well. This will make it last longer than just a single layer.

I would also use some copper stakes about every foot and solder to the screen. Just a foot 
long would do it. These will help bond it all to your soil (electrically), and help keep it from 
working to the surface due to freezing and thawing. You still may need to add soil from time 
to time due to settling or erosion.

An idea I had was to add 1/4" copper pipe with very small holes drilled used to dribble water 
through the ground mat area.....more erosion potential, but better soil conductivity...I hope. 
Could catch rain from your down spouts in a barrel to feed the system.

Just my thoughts..........

Mel
N7OKL