[Lowfer] antenna current & progress

[Peter Barick]

>>> eric@willow.nutstreet.net 10/17/03 08:26AM >>>
>-- the components that comprise the rest of the RF current meter are 
>connected directly to the screw posts on the back of the panel meter.

>Now when I connect radials (only 2 so far) the antenna current doesn't

>(appear to) drop.

>  My longest (of the 2) radials is only about 50' but 
>I'll be adding more today.
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Hey, good on the minimum meter approach.

Too soon to expect an improvement w/ two radials. From what I
understand a min. of, say, 25 radials before an effect on performance
and "I." I've mentioned before the Sevick series of articles (1970s QST)
on ground radials for HF verticals which concluded that 60 gave
significant improvement and that since the greatest density of return
current near the center, that is where the concentration should occur.
By that he explained that starting from the "broadcast ind. std." of 120
quarter wave radials, if that is not possible then what and where can
the compromise occur. His conclusion was on length.  His empirical tests
showed that one could reduce the radial length in relation to the
reduction in number. Another way to say this is if the number is
compromised then there is no merit to fully extend the others, ie,
better cover the near area first before extending to the far radius.

Another point he made was there was no improvement in cross connecting
the radials. The current best flows in radial lines to the center
return, hence MANY Radials.

But here's a catch: If one only plans for 25 radials now but wants to
*expand* that count sometime, then what length now? Here I say do the
longer, certainly not shorter and have to later extend them.

I just bought a few rolls of 16 gauge wire fence (4 x 50 feet roll)
from the local home store at $7 per on clearance. Plan to use it and
additional wire that I had last year. (Now how am I gunna apportion all
that fencing?)

Another thought, consider 2 50-foot radials can be thought of as 1
100-foot solid piece of wire that's center connected, of course, and
either straight as in a "diameter element" or "V" bent. So what? It
reduces wire cuts and connections. I've also taken to bundling several
by soldering them to a leader for final GND attachment.

I still intend to lay the stuff on top of the ground as I did last
year. Heh, yeah it's a beast to get up for spring grass cutting, esp. if
ya let it get tall as I did.


Cheers, Peter