Topband: grounding the ends of radials

[Charlie Cunningham]

But why "ground" the end of a bare buried radial that's already buried in
the ground??  Probably be more effective to just soak the area with Calcium
Chloride or something! 

A radial network of elevated resonant radials is NOT a "non-resonant
counter-poise". In fact an 80m 1/4 wave vertical or a 160m inverted L each
with a few elevated resonant radials are just a "ground-plane" antennas, for
Pete's sake!  And its properties are well known and documented and have been
for
decades!  (but some people much prefer "dirt"!)

"If you believe- no proof is necessary. If you don't believe - no proof is
possible"!   FWIW

73,
Charlie, K4OTV

-----Original Message-----
From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bob
Eldridge
Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2014 6:53 PM
To: topband at contesting.com
Subject: Topband: grounding the ends of radials

> but if it was done with a ground rod that's not really much of a "ground"
> for rf.
  It isn't there to "provide a ground". It is there to intercept "return"
rf, which "flows" not far below the surface.  So a "ground spike" is a more
appropriate term.  "Ground rods" are good for safety purposes.
  Yes, I am assuming insulated wire laid on or near the surface.  But
grounding the far end of buried bare radials doesn't do any harm.

>>A single ground rod at the base of a vertical isn't going to provide 
>>much of a ground.
  True. But a ring of short grounding spikes, connected together and back to
the base (U.S. Army tactical grounding system), provides a reasonable
alternative to a metal plate.

>> The radial network is a non-resonant counterpoise.
  Sometimes, but not always.

Bob VE7BS


_________________
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband