If your soil eats up galvanized steel that quickly I would be very concerned
about the buried galvanized rod on dead-man type guy anchors.
John KK9A
Robie Elms AJ4F wrote:
All,
In early 2025 a local ham passed away. His widow asked me to dismantle his
station and sell the equipment. He lived on a suburban lot and used a
SteppIR vertical. Some years ago he described the installation which
consisted of several pieces of galvanized fencing, bonded together as his
"radial system". The system performed well based on his feedback and
monitoring his on the air performance. I was asked to remove the
antenna. When I did so I found that the galvanized fencing near the base
of the antenna had completely disintegrated. I did not find any solid
"wire" within about 18" of the antenna base. Corrosion had taken its toll
on the installation. Since I was removing the antenna I did not
investigate any further.
I'm not sharing this to discourage individuals from taking this approach,
but simply to point out one potential issue.
Some further information:
1. The antenna was located in EL29, about 5 miles from Galveston Bay
2. The soil is "gumbo clay" and remains wet much of the year.
3. I use locally sourced galvanized fencing for traditional purposes and
notice that some of it begins rusting within 18 months or so.
4. The fencing was connected to a stainless steel "radial plate" attached
to the base of the antenna.
5. The installation was < 10 years old.
Robie AJ4F
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