Topband: 160 meter ground radials

[W2pm@aol.com]

I have a similar question regarding LOTS of metal at the base of the  antenna 
connected to the ground radials..  In my case I have several large  tower 
sections in a neat pile, several connected together for a 30ft lengh, and  
several other 10 ft sections on top.  I bonded all together very positively  and 
used 4 ground rods along the length of the sections all strongly  electrically 
bonded to the sections.  Then I have abt 20 - 25 on ground  radials (now being 
sewen into new grass) connected to the tower sections whcih  are right under 
the 1/4 wave Inv L vertical section.  I use a Wireman coax  ferrite balun before 
the ground field connection.  I havent been able to  test this on air on 160 
as I recently did this converting from a couple of noisy  and messy raised 
radials. My rx systems are not on line.  However I load  this antenna on 80, 40 
and 30 and it seems to be extremely effective.  My  perception is based on 
using a FT817 QRP at 1 W and breaking pileups and asking  for honest reports.
 
I know W1BB always recommend a pile of metal under the antenna and claimed  
it helped -- can anyone comment that the tower sections (these are large 21 
inch  face towers) are helping my ground return efficiency?  73 Pete,  W2PM