Topband: Radials on a fence

[Dennis OConnor]

Pete, just put out whatever radials you can in whatever directions you can, and don't agonize over it...  It will radiate and receive...  


If you want to eek a bit more performance, then add a groundscreen directly under the feed point... This can be 4 feet across, or more, with a wire grid of roughly 6" - 8" openings, and soldered at the crossover points...


I am neutral on the elevated radials... They may help but if they go straight up the wall of the house near the vertical portion of the antenna then skip them...
Another method to improve efficiency, perhaps for contests, is to have roll out radials for your driveway, sidewalk, etc., that you can roll out in the dead of night and pull up before morning...  
If you have a working relationship with the neighbors perhaps they will let you put them on their land at night for selected contests if you promise to have them up by  morning...  Stress to them  that they are there to help your receiver hear weak signals better - sorta like hanging foil on the rabbit ears of the TV...

cheers / denny - k8do

 
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