[TowerTalk] 160m 1/4 wave vertical help needed

[Jim Brown]

On Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:04:55 -0400 (EDT), donovanf at starpower.net wrote:

>Suggest you try an instrument that operates at transmitter power levels,
>such an a VSWR meter or an LP-100 Digital Wattmeter (my favorite),
>before you pull any more hair out.

Strongly agree. Also, remember that the radiation resistance of an ideal 
quarter wave vertical is on the order of 37 ohms, lower for a shorter 
radiator. The loss resistance of the ground system you describe will bring 
it closer 50 ohms, and improving it will lower it. In other words, you 
should see about 1:1 with the first ground system, and maybe 1.2:1 when you 
add the radials. 

Jim K9YC