[Antennas] ground mounted vertical radials question

[Danny Richardson]

At 09:37 PM 11/10/2006, you wrote:

>Hello to all.  Will be installing a Hustler 5BTV vertical on the ground, up
>in the country where there is no problem with people tripping over radials.
>The radials will NOT be buried.  They will be placed upon the ground.  Been
>reading my reference material on radials, but would like to hear from
>operators that have been there/done that.  The lowest band will be 80 meters
>and the highest 10 meters.   Hustler recommends at least two radials per
>band.  Then, been reading W2FMI's book about short verticals.  Think he was
>happy with about 40 radials.  Am I on the right track, the more radials, the
>better, up to a certain point?  The soil there is very dry unless it has
>been raining.  As soon as the sun comes out, there goes the moisture content
>of the soil.  So, would it be better to spread, say 40 radials at 1/8
>wavelength, or maybe 20 at 1/4 wavelength?  Would you spread some for just
>80, or do a combination of the different bands?  If this was salt water, bet
>you could throw a coat hanger in there, but it is not.  Any good ideas?  I
>am leaning towards less radials and longer radials, but experience is the
>best teacher.  Thank you for your comments/recommendations, Dave, NC6P.
David,

It really comes down to how much time and expense do you wish to invest? 
For most of us it is a balance between performance vs expense. With that in 
mind I suggest you try and get a copy of Bob Sommers's August 2003 QST 
article "Optimum Radial Ground Systems".

If you can't locate a copy let me know and I'll be glad to help you out.

73,
Danny, K6MHE

    


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