Topband: "Grounds" for a Beverge

[Charles W. Shaw]

Howdy from NM,

         It appears to me that once more the term "ground" has led 
someone astray, and most likely it was some of us old time Topbanders 
that caused it.

         Mark, WD4ELG, recently said, "I thought bev worked with poor 
ground."  In one sense, most of us would agree--a Beverage over dry 
sand and rock can work OK and certainly better than if it's over salt 
water.  But Mark was discussing the "ground" stakes of his Beverage.

         I have often read that the terminating "ground" at the far 
end of a Beverage is not very critical.  However, I believe that we 
should strive for a good "ground" at the feeder end.  My reasoning is 
that unless we have a relatively low resistance "ground" on the 
antenna side of the impedance-matching transformer, the current 
through the transformer will be reduced so that little signal will 
reach the 50-Ohm primary going to the receiver.

         OK you antenna expert EE's, set this musician MusEd ham straight.

Charles - N5UL
Hobbs, NM