[Antennas] Diminishing Returns

[match at ece.utah.edu]

On 4 Jun 2009 David wrote:

> 
>  From the replies I have received, I gather I am wasting my time putting 
> radials down.  I have put in two 8 ft ground rods.  I guess I will just 
> go with that.  Because of trees and overhead wiring, I can not elevate 
> the antenna.  Living in coastal FL I do not want to roof mount anything.
> 
> David
> KC2JD/2

David,

I don't think it's a waste of time at all. Even one single radial is better than no 
radials at all.

If I were in your shoes I'd be putting down 4 or maybe 6 radials fanning them 
out the 20 feet you're able to on your lot and give it a try. You might be 
surprised. No, it would not be perfect, but no antenna installation ever is.  

And, nobody says that the radials have to be straight. Longer with bends and 
zig-zags is better than straight and too short. Go around the corners of the 
house into the front yard and the back yard.

You can't install elevated radials? Then put them on the surface of the 
ground or just below the surface, especially if you can fit a tuned length.

Just a couple of ground rods are going to disappoint you. That's not enough 
for a vertical to work against unless the soil is REALLY conductive. You'd 
probably know better than I, but I don't think Florida soil is particularly 
conductive, is it?

Marvin
KA7TPH