Topband: Matching Transformer

[Jim Brown]

On Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:31:13 -0500, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

Jim Brown said: 

>> Au contrair!  See work by N6LF, which strongly suggests 
>> that there are resonance effects, especially with only 
>> a few radials. 

>The only resonance effects occur when the radial system is 
>insufficient to provide a proper return.  No matter the 
>length of the radials, when there are enough radials that 
>the spacing between the ends is less than the 0.03 wave 
>rule of thumb.  A four or eight radial system is never 
>going to behave a non-resonant (on/in ground system). 

Yes. That's what I said -- "especially with only a few 
radials." I'd bet that the vast majority of radial systems 
consist of 4-8 radials. Remember that most hams live on 
small lots. Yes, I have 60+ radials, average 75 ft, some 
longer. I also have a couple of 500+ ft Beverages. But I 
had to get to age 65 and 52 years of hamming, to have real 
estate that allowed that. I'd bet that fewer than 1% of 
hams can come close. 

73,

Jim K9YC