Topband: Radials

[Lee K7TJR]

Dave: I put up a 40 meter 4-square 2 years ago with 64 radials on each element. I put the radial system in with soldering to a central bus along each side as shown by ON4UN. The system impedances are very stable. Off the top of my head I would say you would totally waste almost 25 percent of your wire if you overlapped them. Interconnecting them makes them half as long between the elements! Use that length on the outside to make more or make them longer. I have done them both ways.  I covered each solder joint with Black PVC pipe cement before burying. Very easy to do. So far so good after two years on the solder joints. Only time will tell how long this will work for me. The soil here is not very acidic so I am hopeful.  YMMV.
  Lee K7TJR Oregon