[antennaware] Historical Anecdote

[Gary Breed]

Eextensive and careful research into ground systems in the 1920s and 1930s resulted in the FCC "standard" ground system for AM radio stations of 120 buried radials, each 1/4 wavelength long -- or in the case of clear channel stations with 5/8 wave towers, a combination of 1/4 wave and longer (1/2 to 5/8 wave) radials.

Prior to the implementation of these standard ground systems, quite a few AM stations used rooftop installations on downtown hotels or office buildings.

When I was in broadcasting, I heard quite a few stories from the old-timers that the new ground-mounted installations never provided as good a coverage as the old rooftop systems. Of course, some of these claims are due to the fact that the new systems were located away from the center of town, but many stations did not move very far.

So it's probably safe to say that some of those rooftop installations DID work better than their ground-mounted replacements.  I hope the ongoing study of elevated radials helps us figure out how they work, and under what conditions they work best.

(Just an editorial comment to encourage more serious effort in this area!)

73, Gary Breed, K9AY



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