[Antennas] Radial Wires VS a wire or screen mesh

[Ron Youvan]

>  Does anyone know if a functional radial system can be made using fencing wire mesh, say 4 
x 4?  If un-welded mesh were used and laid down the length of either 1/8 wave or 1/4 wave, 
shouldn't it work as well as radial wires?  Or is it the radial symmetry around the driven 
pole the key? 		 	   		

   A great deal of it is the length.  American broadcast counterpoise systems are required 
to be 120 wires evenly spaced, but there are concentric rings of wire that tie the radials 
together creating a "mat" of wire, but the rings are soldered or welded to the radial 
wires at every intersection.  In many locations (soil types) galvanized wire can outlast 
copper, but making an efficient reflector for the 1/4 wl vertical antenna is the goal.
Un-welded, bad idea, solder or brazing the joints will work if the other criteria is met.
I would buy 133' rolls over panels of any kind.  (like "red top")  It won't be cheep, I 
think buying solenoid windings wound with copper wire and such at HAM-fests and rolling it 
out is the cheapest plan I have heard about.
-- 
    Ron  KA4INM - I'm proud to be Chuck's pop!