Topband: 5/8 vertical

[Rick Karlquist]

Bruce wrote:
> Yes, As current radiation is raised in the vertical, longer radials are
> needed.
>
> Bruce-K1FZ

I keep seeing this statement on various reflectors,
but my tests on 1/4 wave and 1/2 wave verticals show that a 1/2 wave
vertical with essentially no radials works as well as a 1/4 wave vertial
with many 1/4 wave radials.  According to this theory,
it should need 1/2 wave radials.

A 5/8 wave vertical would not work with no radials (because its driving
impedance is not ~1000 ohms), but OTOH it shouldn't need 5/8 wave radials.

Rick N6RK