[Elecraft] Fun QSO: 3000 miles, 1.5 watts, 4' whip, elevation delta 9998 feet

[Michael Babineau]

<vic at rakefet.com> wrote :

 > Something worth mentioning is that
 > performance of vertical antennas improves quite rapidly as you get 
very close to
 > salt water -- even few meters makes a difference.

Actually "Team Vertical" did some testing to determine how the 
proximity to
salt water improved signals from a vertical antenna. I believe that the 
conclusion
was that 1/4 wavelength or multiples of such away from the water was 
optimal.
They however used elevated radials. It is worth noting that dry sand 
has horrible
conductivity so if you are using ground mounted radials you will 
probably fare
better if they are on wet sand.

For more details on the tests check out

http://pages.prodigy.net/k2kw/tests.html

Michael VE3WMB

P.S. Wayne ... good job on snagging Hawaii KX1/PM .. you are an 
inspiration to us all!