N4KG says:
> I cut my grass short and installed the radials after growing season,
> wiggling the wire down to the ground. Bobby pins (or bent galvanized
> steel or aluminum wire) can be used to hold the wires down.
>
> After about 6 weeks of growth, the grass roots will hold the wire in
> place. Raise your lawn mower a notch or two to prevent digging into
> the ground and cutting radials.
That was one of my normal methods of installing radials until I
bought a tractor and started using a home made radial plow! Now I
can bury a hundred feet of wire or coax per minute!
Before having a tractor, I sometimes used 1/8th inch aluminum rod,
cut in six inch lengths and bent in half to pin down radials.
Another method that worked even better for me was to lay the wire
out loosely. Then starting at the antenna base take a normal spade
and turn over a big clod of grass about every ten feet, or at spots
where the wire is in the air. Just tuck the wire under the replaced
clod. With some practice, you can do this without even bending
over! i've found this much faster than stapling the wire down, as
long as you have grass.
73, Tom W8JI
W8JI@contesting.com
This list is sponsored by the new eHam.net Store. When you buy products
like ICE filters, Array Solutions StackMatch, or M-Squared Antennas from
the eHam Store for the same price you pay direct, a portion of the sale
price goes to support this list. Check it out at http://www.eham.net.
-----
FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions: towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests: towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
|