Topband: Beverage grounding over rock

[Herb Schoenbohm]

Dave NØRQ (lists) wrote:

>I'm improving the grounding on my Beverages 
>There is a standard barbed wire fence going by less than 10' away,
>with normal T-posts.  Would hooking to it as a ground be of any use?  
>


Dave, I had high on two Beverages that were terminated right at the 
fence line. I though I was doing the right thing by clamping in  all the 
fencing and posts. I was wrong.  Only a few days ago I remove the fence 
connections and repositioned the Beverage feed about 20 feet from the 
actual fence with a single 4 foot ground rod.  All I can say is wow!  
the noise floor drop 4 S points but the BC reference signals did not 
drop at all on either beverage.  It was getting dark so I ran into the 
ham shack and the first signal I heard was 9N7BC peaking 579.  I know 
this is not very normal engineering logic but all I can tell you is tat 
the fence hookup turn a good antenna into a bad one.  I have found that 
small 30-60 foot pieces of insulated wires laid on the ground at the 
feed or termination, at least, can't hurt. it is easy to do and the 
experts can let flame me for making the suggestion, but stay away from 
fences, barbed wire, and semi conductors believing they will enhance 
your ground.  IMHO they won't.


Herb Schoenbohm,  KV4FZ