Topband: Laying ground radials

[Grant Saviers]

I pulled >1500'  of 1" pvc water line in glued together 200' lengths 8" 
beneath an adobe cattle pasture using a Kellems swivel grip attached to 
a single point ripper on a 70hp tractor.    My ripper was 1" plate on a 
3 point hitch so start and stop was easy. A hole was dug at each 200' 
joint to glue the pvc lengths together.

I think the same idea would work for radials except where rocks or large 
roots preclude it.  Dig a trench around the vertical base to get the 
wire started and drive it out to the right length.  For radials I think 
3/8" max 1/2" thick steel plate would work with a hole in the back side 
to fasten the wire.  With a ride on mower maybe a tilting ripper blade 
would make the start/stop/backup pretty easy.  IMO, pretty simple to get 
something like that welded up to fit the mower hitch.  Or buy a 
commercial single point ripper for you tractor.

Grant KZ1W

On 6/6/2018 16:31 PM, VK3HJ wrote:
> Later this year, I plan to lay down an in-ground radial field. I have 
> sourced a copper wire supplier and have costed approximately 2000 m of 
> 1.2 mm bare copper at around $800.
>
> Presently, I use an elevated counterpoise of 4 x quarterwave radials 
> each for 180 and 80 m.
>
> I need to lay the wire just under the turf as I have livestock in the 
> paddock.
>
> The radial field will be mostly in shallow mountain soil, with a 
> couple of surface granite rocks to negotiate, as well as a large gum 
> tree on one edge with many surface roots.
>
> I have a tractor, but feel that this will churn up the ground too much 
> with the density of the work to be done. I have a ride-on mower that 
> may be more useful.
>
> I will need to lay in the radials by hand around the rocks and tree 
> roots, but would like to do it more easily for the rest of the job!
>
> What sort of implement can I obtain or create for this job?
>
> 73,
>
> Luke VK3HJ
>
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