I have a similar question regarding LOTS of metal at the base of the antenna
connected to the ground radials.. In my case I have several large tower
sections in a neat pile, several connected together for a 30ft lengh, and
several other 10 ft sections on top. I bonded all together very positively
and
used 4 ground rods along the length of the sections all strongly electrically
bonded to the sections. Then I have abt 20 - 25 on ground radials (now being
sewen into new grass) connected to the tower sections whcih are right under
the 1/4 wave Inv L vertical section. I use a Wireman coax ferrite balun
before
the ground field connection. I havent been able to test this on air on 160
as I recently did this converting from a couple of noisy and messy raised
radials. My rx systems are not on line. However I load this antenna on 80, 40
and 30 and it seems to be extremely effective. My perception is based on
using a FT817 QRP at 1 W and breaking pileups and asking for honest reports.
I know W1BB always recommend a pile of metal under the antenna and claimed
it helped -- can anyone comment that the tower sections (these are large 21
inch face towers) are helping my ground return efficiency? 73 Pete, W2PM
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