Towertalk
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [TowerTalk] Saltwater Ground Connection

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Saltwater Ground Connection
From: Jim Brown <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>
Reply-to: jim@audiosystemsgroup.com
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 14:04:23 -0800
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
On 1/27/2014 1:26 PM, Grant Saviers wrote:
I used two resonant elevated radials, about 18" above the sand and 5' from high tide at TX5D for 20 ->10. That worked super well. Stay within 1/4WL of the water and it will work. IMO no direct connection to salt water is needed, but if you do connect, only the top few inches matter for RF.

The connection to salt water acts as a counterpoise -- that is, it carries return current. Radials are at least as good, especially if you can elevate them.

The primary effect of sea water is that it provides a much stronger reflection of the wavefront, increasing the low angle field strength by 5-10 dB or so as compared to various kinds of ground (the benefit is greatest for lousy soil). But that improvement only occurs at azimuths that take off over sea water. Over land, you see the reduced reflection strength of the soil, whatever it is.

73, Jim K9YC
_______________________________________________



_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>