Topband: elevated radial symetry and layout

Jeff Blaine jeff at ac0c.com
Wed Sep 12 12:01:45 EDT 2012


I’m cooking up my first 4-square using a set of elevated radials.

Is there a consensus on what the optimal way of laying out the radial pattern is?

If the radials are spread out on the 0/90/180/270 points, we have overlap between each of the radial center points (the 180 degree radial on the top vertical overlaps with the 0 degree radial on the bottom, for example).

In the ON4UN book, a good diagram of the bonded and trimmed variety is shown for the ground mounted.  But for elevated, he suggests alternating the radials on each vertical with a 45 degree rotation.  Unfortunately his drawing is only for 2 verticals.  If you expand his layout, all of the vertical radials are clear except for the pair which bisect the diagonal centerline and thus overlap.  In addition, the center is where the control box is going to have to be as well - so that puts the radials with their attendant significant currents in close proximity to the phasing lines and box.

In Rudy’s QEX he goes into the reduced sensitivity to symmetry associated of using 8-12 elevated radials per vertical.  But for the more simple 4 per vertical case, I am looking for what the proper routing method should be to optimize the symmetry of the 4 square.

Thanks!

73/jeff/ac0c
www.ac0c.com 
alpha-charlie-zero-charlie



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