Topband: Beverage grounds

[Tom Rauch]

> I didn't try instant A/B comparisons with/without radials.  Just
> wonder if anyone has tried this, and what were their observations.
> 
> My guess is that making the radials much longer the height of the
> beverage wire would degrade performance by establishing "good ground"
> under the beverage wire.

As a normal part of installing Beverages, I always sweep the 
Beverage with an analyzer and look for standing waves.

As a normal part of maintenance, I record the swept SWR so I can 
tell if anything changes.

This process also allows me to determine the ground rod 
impedance, because all the numbers are there.  

When I use a single ground of 3/4 inch copper pipe, a 4-5 foot pipe 
has somewhere around 100 ohms of resistance. I had something 
over that value near Atlanta, and less than that value at other 
locations, but that is a good average.

While I can't say I've noticed a performance change, I do notice the 
ground resistance changes a few dozen ohms or more with 
moisture changes with one rod. That makes me uncomfortable, so 
I either use two rods spaced several feet or add a couple long 
radials...whatever is easier.

I figure if I am going to fuss around and optimize termination, I 
might as well make sure it stays OK.
73, Tom W8JI
W8JI@contesting.com