[PVRCNC] Optimum # radials article

[mike at bentwire.net]

After Ken's presentation, I got to thinking about implementing his
suggestion of a tight mesh in close to the vertical feedpoint. Wire
mesh fencing would seem ideal. Except all of that stuff is galvanized
steel - Low conductivity, difficult to establish a solid electrical
connection to. Not to mention the eventual rust issue.

Any suggestions for a) aluminum mesh fencing source or b) ways of
solidly connecting to galvanized mesh?

I believe b) has more practical potential. I'm thinking some sort of
clamp with lotsa alumilox or equivalent.

Of course, once I win the lottree, I'm installing copper sheeting in
the back forty.

Mike/N4GU



"Kent Winrich" <kwinrich at gmail.com> wrote:


Note: Forwarded Email Message Below:



You can play with burying hundreds of feet of wire or you can go elevated:
http://www.nottltd.com/ElevatedRadialSystem.pdf

As I mentioned in my presentation, it is most important to cover an area
close in to the antenna.  There is not a big addition in coverage with the
longer wires.  It is better (if you go buried) to have MORE then LONGER
radials.  I suggested a 20' square of an interwoven 'grid" with about
1 - 2'
squares to create a "screen" .  Elevate it if you can!

In this article a number of issues are skipped over (or I read to fast,
which is quite possible).

Dont you find it interesting that they are suggesting a LOWER number of
radials in poor soil?  That is because of ground loss.... something the
elevated system is supposed to lower.

Another issues is that they talk about the NUMBER of radials versus
the area
covered.  So if I have 500' of wire, they are still suggesting that ALL
radials be 1/4 wavelength.  Unfortunately they didnt try shorter, but more
numerous radials.

BTW in our area, I always assume that we have poor (heh or NO) ground
conductivity.

Here is a discussion and data about elevated versus standard ground system
in Ham Radio Frequencies:
http://www.arising.com.au/people/Holland/Ralph/shortvert.htm

Here you will see that 3 -4 elevated wires can out perform 32 buried
wires!

Kent Winrich
K9EZ/4
b0zo #143. www.ab0zo.com
Somewheres near Fuquay
Ex Cheesehead
Packer Fan and Stock holder!