Hi again Mike. I use an edger, myself, with a spool holder hose clamped to the
handle. My number twelves generally do a good job of closing the trench behind
the gadget. But I see no reason why a ready made jobbie should not do even
better, particularly if you can ride the thing.
234/f in mHz is correct for a quarter wave in free space - but there's so much
coupling to ground that an actual quarter wave radial is more like a tenth
physical wave long. Generally, 60 feet or so makes close enough to a quarter
wave on 160, but more does not hurt.
The DX Engineering plate will work with some fiddling; and it's a heap easier
than drilling and tapping 60 holes in a chunk of quarter or three eighths inch
aluminum scrap you have hacksawed to fit.
MIG welder wire comes in a bunch of sizes - does not rust or corrode - and some
of the stuff is bad about curling and the next roll out of the bin will lie
there as limp as the guy who just slugged down a pint of 100 proof. I go to
Harbor Freight in Mobile and buy a couple of the biggest rolls they have, and
pick up enough short pieces of rebar for the radials I'm putting down at the
building supply.
If it's curly I pull it tight at the end of the trench, heel in a chunk of
rebar, make a few wraps and a tie off to keep the wire in place.
If it's limp, I don't bother to pull it taut.
73 Pete Allen AC5E
--
Never squat with your spurs on
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