Topband: Skimmer calibration

[Carl]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom W8JI" <w8ji at w8ji.com>
To: "topband" <topband at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2014 10:08 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: Skimmer calibration


>> BC antennas have the elaborate radial system in order to get that 
>> groundwave while the typical on ground ham vertical loses a lot of the 
>> 0-10 degree (or more) radiation. Go to the beach to get it back.....or go 
>> with elevated radials.
>>
>>
>
> That just isn't factual at all. Radials under the vertical antenna have 
> virtually no effect on wave angle unless they are sparse and grossly 
> unbalanced, allowing them to radiate like a low horizontal antenna.
>
> Radials change the efficiency, not the pattern, unless the radials radiate 
> like a dipole.
>
> 73 Tom


Note that I didnt say anything about changing the pattern, just the energy 
included at low angles and where the efficiency starts at the base and at 
the often poorly understood Fresnel Zone if you really want more power in 
those low angles and not heating worms or sand granules.

Carl
KM1H