Topband: insulated vs:bare radial wires

[Missouri Guy]

Jim,
It won't make any measurable difference if you use bare
or insulated wire for radials above or below ground.
 
The #18 wire will work well for buried radials, but at the
base of the antenna be sure to leave a little slack
to take any strain off the connection should the ground
shift due to freeze/thaw, etc.  Yes, you can just lay
them on the ground and they'll mostly just disappear
into the sod in a single growing season.  You can "pin" them
down close to the ground with some homebrew "staples". 
 
With 30K feet at your disposal you could make a super
radial system.
 
73,
Charile, N0TT
   
On Wed, 2 Dec 2009 08:08:43 -0800 (PST) Jim Hoge <knowkode at sbcglobal.net>
writes:
> Greetings,
>  
> Can I expect any noticable difference using an insulated wire for 
> radials? Theoretically, the velocity factor of the insulation will 
> make the physical length shorter but is a tuned 1/4 wave radial 
> length that important when it is buried or laid on ground? The plan 
> is to use 18ga awb, of which I have some 30k feet at my disposal. 
>  
> tnx,
> Jim W5QM
> _______________________________________________
> 160 meters is a serious band, it should be treated with respect. - 
> TF4M
> 
>