Topband: Question - optimum number of radials

[Dan Maguire]

For anyone interested in modeling a vertical with a variable number of radials you might refer back to this post:

http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/Topband/2013-04/msg00017.html

Near the bottom you'll find a link to download a ".weq" format model for use with AutoEZ.  AutoEZ requires Microsoft Excel and EZNEC v5.

(Shooting myself in the foot here.)  Even using the free demo version of AutoEZ you can still take advantage of the "multi-config" aspect of the model.  Manually set the variables to any desired values (such as variable "N" for number of radials) then use the "View Ant" button.  That will build a temporary .ez format model and send it to EZNEC.  Then switch over to the EZNEC main window and click the EZNEC "FF Plot" button or other buttons as desired.  In effect you are using AutoEZ to build the model and EZNEC to process it.

If you don't have the Pro/4 (NEC-4) version of EZNEC you can simulate buried radials by putting them ~0.001 wavelengths above ground.  For info on that subject see the EZNEC Help Index > Elevated Radial Systems.

Dan, AC6LA
http://ac6la.com