Topband: Fence "ground screen" instead of wire radials?

[ZR]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Herb Schoenbohm" <herbs at vitelcom.net>
To: <topband at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2011 4:30 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: Fence "ground screen" instead of wire radials?


> On 9/2/2011 6:06 PM, Brian Machesney wrote:
>>> Thanks to NI0C for reminding me that this info was presented by NC0B
>>
> Chicken wire or rabbit wire make an inexpensive alternative to an
> expanded copper mesh ground screen.  Just roll it out in multiple
> directions from the tower base and tack it to the ground on top of the
> grass.  The grass will grow through it in a short period and it will be
> invisible.  that is easier than rolling up the sod for sure.  The only
> problem is the connection but since the actual tower is most likely
> galvanized steel there isn't an issue of dissimilar metal just figuring
> out how to making a convenient connection via a galvanize steel bus with
> similar jumpers to the actual tower.  Soldering is not possible and cad
> weld is expensive.  Tinned copper braid jumpers with the proper
> preparation can work and galvanized steel angle brackets as well.


I used 4' x 50' rabbit mesh (2x4") that was welded, then galvanized and then 
plastic dipped for over 10 years at a prior QTH. It was purchased that way 
at a garden store.

Galvanizing is very easy to solder to with just normal rosin solder and all 
I did was run some stranded #12 copper to the #6 copper ring at the base of 
the shunt fed tower. A bit of spray autobody undercoating sealed the mesh 
solder connections.

Prior to this there were 60 radials,  60-135' long and performance was fair. 
With the 4 sections of mesh on top of them it became a pileup buster and 
contest winner.

Carl
KM1H