Topband: elevated radials

[Ford Peterson]

Tom notes:

> Also Hams tend to think in terms of too many radials. Things 
> get really flat after 50 radials.
> 
> The most surprising thing I learned is how little base 
> impedance actually means when guessing efficiency.
> 
> 73 Tom 

After spending hours studying the graphs 9-14 through 9-19 in ON4UN's 4th ed, I fail to understand the significance if all the hoopla regarding the so-called "perfect" ground system.  What you want is a ground that works.  For example, in fig 9-19 (80M), going from 32 - 40M radials gets you a whopping 0.31dB of gain over 8 radials of the same length.  In a very few QSOs during a ham's lifetime, this may matter.  In 99.9% of the QSOs, I seriously doubt that the extra 1000M of wire will matter.  Lay down what you have the time, the space, the $$$, and energy to lay.  Feel confident that you are good-to-go Top 10 if you have the rest of the skill set to get you there.  My gut feel for the topic indicates that elevated radials vs grounded radials must be viewed in the same light.  If the quest is perfection, well, then that's different.  If the quest is effectiveness, then a different set of criteria will likely apply.

Tom, heretofore, a buried radial system under 1/4wL vertical was evaluated based on how close the actual impedance was to the 36 ohm R of the classic monopole.  If I understand your last comment correctly, you indicate that the R value fails to predict field strength?  Can you describe what you mean?  Or better yet, what you are observing?  Possibly more importantly, how you measured it?

Ford-N0FP
ford at cmgate.com