Topband: Radials help

[Herb Schoenbohm]

Buzz,

If you can find insulated #12 electrical solid wire it works great and 
handles well even with frequent hits with weed wackers here.  One 
advantage of using insulate wire is that the velocity factor of the wire 
on ground or (ROG) allows for shorter lengths.  This is important if you 
have limited yard space.  I use large galvanized nails (spikes) at the 
far ends by wrapping the insulated wire around the nail and driving it 
into the ground. Only the insulation comes in contact with the nail or 
the ground itself.  In such a circumstance 90 foot long ROG's, if you 
have enough of them, should work well for you.  There is no advantage 
for a ROG to be a 1/4 wavelength over a more manageable shorter ROG 
length.  The real advantage is with the extra wires is put in as many 
shorties 40-60 footers  between the longer ones.  This is said to 
improve performance and efficiency of a vertical.


Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ

On 11/9/2011 4:49 PM, Buzz Jehle wrote:
> Installing 80 and 160 verticals and was going to use 14 gauge uninsulated solid copper wire for radials.  Little dirt here, mostly limestone and caliche. Is there any reason to use insulated wire?  No one seems to sell bare wire anymore (Lowes, Home Depot), but it would hide better than colored insulated wire.  I have lots of deer, squirrels, porcupines, possums, skunks, but no hogs.  Half the radials will cross the caliche driveway.  We have only had 3" of rain all year, so the ground is essentially cement. Radials will just be laying on top held in by steel staples.  Grass may cover in years to come! Was going to start with 16 1/4 wave 160 meter radials.
>
> Any ideas, suggestions on where to buy radial wire or how to install greatly appreciated off reflector.
>
> Thanks Buzz N5UR Bandera Texas, Cowboy Capital of the World
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