[Elecraft] On ground - in ground radials

[David Bunte]

At my last QTH (I moved a week ago), I had 3000' feet of #14 THHN under my
30' vertical. I paid about $30 per 500' roll. Putting them down was a
relative piece of cake. I cut the grass as short as my mower would permit,
then laid the radials on the ground, securing them with sod stables as
often as needed to keep them close to the ground. Within a week they were
hard to see... and the first mowing after installation resulted in NO lost
wires at all.

In ten years with that antenna at two different locations I confirmed over
300 countries, 9 BDXCC and over 1800 on Challenge. I was blessed with a
very quiet location, and for the last few toward DXCC on 160 I did increase
the height of the antenna to 43' and added a 160/80 meter matching network.
I felt it was the best I could do on my small lot, and it gave MANY hours
of pleasure.

73 de Dave - K9FN

On Mon, Jan 17, 2022 at 3:38 PM Bill Frantz <frantz at pwpconsult.com> wrote:

> On 1/17/22 at 10:52 AM, w3tb.ted at gmail.com (Ted Edwards W3TB) wrote:
>
> > Good methods for getting the wire down.
> > Separate Question:  What about using an insulated wire that way?
>
>
> K9YC recommends <http://k9yc.com/160MPacificon.pdf>:
>
> Guidelines for All Radials
> • Insulated wire holds up longer
> • #18 minimum size for durability
> –Large spools hard to buy
> • #14 THHN (house wire) works well
> –Mass market items often less expensive and easy to find
> –Discount for 6 or more spools at big box stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s)
>
>
> He says about ground screens:
>
> Ground Screens Can Work
> • Some AM broadcasters use a heavy copper mesh, typically 40 ft square
>   surrounding the tower, with radials connected at perimeter of the mesh
> • Provides very effective shielding between antenna and earth where
>   current density and magnetic fields are strongest
>
> Some Ground Screen Solutions
> • Use strips of 3-ft or 5-ft wide galvanized hardware cloth
>   –~ $350 for 600 sq ft, 19-gauge
> • Or strips of galvanized welded wire fencing 2” x 2” or 2” x 4” grid
>   –~ $ 150 for 600 sq ft, 14 gauge
> • Or strips of galvanized wire mesh, 1” x 1” squares
>
> Some Ground Screen Solutions
> • If possible, lay strips out radially in four directions
> • Use alternative layouts when it’s the best you can do
> –A single strip, centered below the antenna if possible, or even two
> running
>  parallel to each other
> –More is better
>
> For more details and references see the website.
>
> 73 Bill AE6JV
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Bill Frantz        | Concurrency is hard. 12   | Periwinkle
> (408)348-7900      | out 10 programmers get it | 150 Rivermead Rd #235
> www.pwpconsult.com | wrong.      - Jeff Frantz | Peterborough, NH 03458
>
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