[TenTec] Radials

[Tony Martin W4FOA]

Having had considerable experience in burying radials, I would only add this
one lesson I learned the hard way....

If possible, use insulated wire, as heavy as you can afford, and try to keep
it "nick" free to preserve the integrity of the wire.  I buried MANY feet of
bare wire and have found that the acid in my soil has basically "eaten" my
radial system.  I have also found that the first radials I buried
(insulated) are still pretty much as they were when I first installed them.
Just my 2 cents and hopefully it will save someone some wasted effort.  I
might as well mention here as well that I made a very inexpensive
"trenching" tool out of a skill saw blade and a heavy wooden replacement
shovel handle by cutting a slit in the bottom of the handle and inserting
the blade with a bolt axle.  If the ground is damp, this works great...slide
the wire in the groove and walk over the "trench" a couple of times....Good
luck...and yes, radials do make a BIG difference.
73
Tony, W4FOA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "NJ0IP" <Rick at dj0ip.de>
To: <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 7:48 PM
Subject: RE: [TenTec] Radials


> OK guys, to be honest, I believe I now understand less than I did when we
> started this thread!
>
> It seems we have good arguments on both sides of he story, but for most of
> us, going to so much trouble is probably out of the question.
>
> I found it useful how N6KB summed it up (repeated below).
> Perhaps someone could answer his specific question.
>
> >And that, along with the cost of the wire, is why people want to
> >now is 30 quarter wavelenth radials better than 60 eighth wavelength
> >nes (or some other comparison  of equal materials and digging)"
>
> DE N6KB
>
> 73
> Rick
>
>
>
>
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