RF performance will improve with the number of radials, particularly because
one of the duties of radials is to create a UNIFORM field around the base
that is opposite and equal to the field from the vertical radiator. The
uniform opposite field created by the radials extends the farthest with the
densest radial field.
The downside of AWG 18 is how long it will last in your soil. Results are
highly variable as is the dirt that a given ham has.
I would pick the largest AWG you can provide with 60 radials which has been
tested many times with satisfactory results.
73, Guy.
On Thu, Aug 18, 2011 at 9:13 AM, Jorge Diez - CX6VM
<cx6vm.jorge@gmail.com>wrote:
> Thanks all for the answers...
>
> I am working on collection the materials for the project, so all feedback
> is
> very important for me, thanks.
>
> Just was thinking, is the same or better to have 120 radials of AWG18 than
> 40 radials of AWG8? What´s the idea? This is the same amount of copper, but
> the distribution over the ground is different.
>
> 73,
> Jorge
> CX6VM/CW5W
>
>
>
> -----Mensaje original-----
> De: topband-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:topband-bounces@contesting.com]
> En nombre de Jon Zaimes AA1K
> Enviado el: Miércoles, 17 de Agosto de 2011 05:42 a.m.
> Para: topband@contesting.com
> Asunto: Re: Topband: soldering radials
>
> Jorge,
>
> Perhaps your friend's concern was that the solder joints would corrode
> with time and galvanic action. Some have suggested using silver solder
> to avoid this problem.
>
> I used just regular solder when doing radials on my 160-meter parasitic
> array a dozen years ago and haven't observed any problem with corrosion.
> But this may vary from climate to climate and with varying soil conditions.
>
> A simple and cheap method I have used for some verticals is to drive a
> short scrap of copper pipe into the ground at the base of the vertical,
> and use an all-stainless hose clamp to clamp the wires to this pipe. No
> solder required.
>
> 73/Jon AA1K
>
> On 8/15/2011 8:12 PM, Jorge Diez - CX6VM wrote:
> > Hello,
> >
> >
> >
> > a friend told me to not solder radials to the vertical ring/plate and
> > between them if I am installing an array, like a 4 square. That´s because
> > can catch some noise.
> >
> >
> >
> > That´s true?
> >
> >
> >
> > If yes, how can I solder them? Also if I use a DXE plate to atacch the
> > radials, I need to solder the wire to terminals, so what type of solder
> may
> > I use?
> >
> >
> >
> > Do you have a type/model (or ebay link) to see what to use?
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Jorge
> >
> > CX6VM/CW5W
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
> >
> _______________________________________________
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
> _______________________________________________
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
_______________________________________________
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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