Topband: insulated vs:bare radial wires

[Les Kalmus]

The length of radials on the ground doesn't matter except that you need 
to remember the ground currents are highest nearer to the vertical.
Many 50-75 foot radials will be fine, insulated or not.
I have about 40 insulated radials with lengths from 1/4 wave down to 50 
feet or so. Works fine.

Les W2LK

Jim Hoge wrote:
> 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
>
>
>