[SECC] Claimed Scores, Last Weekend's Contests

[K9AY]

Jeff and all,

32 radials is generally considered the point after which there are 
diminishing returns. My present antenna has (26) 100-foot radials. BTW --  
that 0.7 dB extra gain will make 1000W sound like 1175W -- not big, but not 
trivial.

Also, large size wire is not required for radials unless you need the 
physical ruggedness. #18 is good enough, which might let you add more 
radials for the same $$$. I use #17 aluminum electric fence wire, which is 
fine for seasonal radials (maybe not along the coast!) and which costs about 
$20 per 1/4 mile.

Finally, if you have an inv-L and are stuck with a small number of radials, 
make sure one of them is directly under the horizontal wire.

73, Gary
K9AY



> Some interesting facts from W4RNL. Going from 4 to 16 radials you can gain 
> 1.2 db. From 16
> to 64 you only gain .7 db more. I bet most of us don't have the room for 
> 120 radials or maybe even
> 64 radials. If this is your case is it worth laying out 64 radials when 
> you gain only .7 db more ?
> For me the answer would be No. I am lucky that have an easement behind 
> where I live to put my 160 antenna. I am going to try to get a minimum of 
> 16 radials out there. I have about 4 full size 130 ft ones right now.
>
> I went to Home Depot after work the other night and got a 500 foot spool 
> of wire to get started. I can't believe how much the price of wire has 
> gone up. I think last time I bought a spool if was something like $25. The 
> #12 solid wire was $40 for a 500 foot spool and the stranded was even more 
> at $45.
>
> Jeff KU8E
>