[TowerTalk] length of radials on tower

[Ford Peterson]

Geo,

The #10 wire is bare soft drawn copper.  I've got about 800' of the stuff on
a new spool.

I have received numerous emails from people.  Some are purporting that
14000' should do nicely.  Well, that ain't gonna happen here.

Devoldores Topband book talks extensively about radials.  Acheiving the
"optimum" installation would be nice but this is just a hobby after all.
Since I am installing a "comprimise" system, I might as well start by
installing the big wire in places that can be added to later.

Several sources indicate the most of the improvement to be gained occurs in
the "close-in" area to the tower.  The marginal investment $$$$ and sweat to
get the rest of the improvement possible results in optimum performance, but
only a small gain over the comprimised system.

Therefore, I am installing the comprimise.  Given that my system works
fairly well with only ground rods (a testimony to the miles of rich loamy
soil surrounding my station), I am hoping that getting a better near-in
connection to ground is the way to go.  Several sources indicate that most
of the improvement on 160 occurs in the first 50' of radials.  More short is
better than a few long.

Last year, I tried an experiment to lay some old RG59 I had laying around.
125' radials made almost no noticable change on the feed point impedance
(measured with an Autek).

The polyphasor site does indicate that the 50' to 70' provides optimum
performance for lightning, and provides most of the improvement possible for
RF as well.

The area within 50' of the tower is fairly clear.  I am leaning towards 50'
radials (12 to 16 or whenever I get tired of sweating) stitched in just
below the surface.  My wife has a tiller/edger (Mantis) that should work
nicely to place it just under the surface of the soil.  I will then use the
4 - 8' ground rods that I have here to hammered in near each radial support
(25' from the tower).

What do ya think?  Mistake?

Ford-N0OQW
ford@cmgate.com


----- Original Message -----
From: "K0FF" <K0FF@ARRL.NET>
To: "Ford Peterson" <ford@cmgate.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 07, 2000 2:07 AM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] length of radials on tower


> is the wire insulated or bare? Geo>K0FF
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ford Peterson <ford@cmgate.com>
> To: towertalk@contesting.com <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Date: Friday, October 06, 2000 10:53 PM
> Subject: [TowerTalk] length of radials on tower
>
>
> >
> >I am loading a 68' tiltover with a 12' extension, tribander and 2meter
> beam,
> >on 160 with shunt feed.  I only have two ground rods at this time--and
for
> >all of last year.
> >
> >I just bought 800' of #10 off ebay last week for a song.  It showed up
this
> >week and now I intend to stitch it in around the tower.
> >
> >The site is not free and clear by any means.  A cement slab to the east
> >about 45 feet away.  A metal building to the SE about 55 feet away
(that's
> >the shack).  The wife's gardens (touch em and die!!!) are to the SW.
> >
> >I am going to place the radials evenly around the tower the best I can.
> >Stuff is clearly in the way and I'll just have to do the best I can.
> >
> >I am taking opinions before I start -- should I use polyphasor's site
> >suggests a minimum of 50' run and a maximum of 70' foot runs for
lightning
> >protection.  I am thinking of running some 50' runs and 100' runs accross
> >the guys (which are being loaded on 80 meters in a sorta 4 element sloper
> >arrangement).
> >
> >Any comments before a screw up my yard?
> >
> >Any help is appreciated.
> >
> >Ford-N0OQW
> >ford@cmgate.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >--
> >FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
> >Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
> >Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
> >Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com
> >
>


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