Topband: Cushcraft MA-160V Antenna / Mounting question

[Tom Rauch]

> Has anyone mounted a vertical in the middle of a pond or 
> lake?  Are radials
> still essential in a water mounted scenario?  If so why?

Large lakes with mild contaminants have about the same 
conductivity as average soil. The water makes radials 
submerged more than  a few inches ineffective or lossy, just 
like deep burial in dirt. Think of a typical lake like the 
Great Lakes as medium or fair soil, with really clear clean 
water as poor soil.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/m3/

73 Tom