[HCARC] Vertical Antenna Radial System

[galeheise at windstream.net]

Gary-

  If you're a member of ARRL you can find an article on vertical antenna 
ground radials via the "QST Print Archives" @ arrl.org.

  When you get to the section requesting search information, input:

Month: June
Year: 1985
Keyword: Radial

  It should provide you with a PDF file Titled "Radial Systems for 
Ground-Mounted Vertical Antennas".  There are charts presented that you can 
view for input to determine your level of diminishing returns.  The charts 
relate to soil categories - poor, good and very good.  The article contains 
tables providing definitions for these three soil categories as well.

Gale
KM4DR

-----Original Message----- 
From: Gary and Arlene Johnson
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2012 4:09 PM
To: hcarc at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [HCARC] Vertical Antenna Radial System

Almost everything I read about putting radials down for a vertical antenna 
has a radically different answer.  In many cases they preface their 
recommendations with "it depends on how conductive your ground is".  Since I 
am on typical to better than typical Hill Country rocky ledge soil, what 
kind of radial system will I need.  When I say my land is better than the 
average Hill Country soil I mean that compared to the Hunt Ingram area with 
its almost all rock, and compared to the soil around the area North of 
Tierra Linda which is almost all rock, I have some good soil and some rocky 
areas.  I do have to garden in raised beds and I do drill holes with my Big 
Hammer drill for T-post installation.   I surely do not have as good a soil 
as the alluvial plains along the river.  My questions are: 1) what should 
the center plate should be made from - copper, brass, aluminum, stainless 
steel???  Would a ring of soft copper A/C freon line work vs a plate??  2) 
what metal should the rad
ials be made from copper, aluminum and what gauge??  (3) how to attach - 
nuts and bolts, silver soldered, regular electrical soldered and last 4) how 
many radials??  I have heard anything from 4-120 recommended.  DX 
engineering says 60 for the Hustler 5-btv antenna I picked up from Gale H. 
yesterday, but that number matches the number of holes and bolts on the 
$150.00 radial plate system they sell - i.e. they probably have some bias. 
One thing I have heard is "the more the better", but that probably has a 
level of diminishing returns.

73's

Gary J
N5"BAA"
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