[TowerTalk] radials

[Dave - AB7E]

I haven't had the need to use one for a long time, but at least here in Arizona it used to be possible to rent a small gas-engine powered Ditch Witch trencher designed specifically for laying PVC lawn sprinkler lines.  It was built kind of like a roto-tiller with a handle and two wheels, and with digging blades between the two wheels that cut about a two inch wide trench several inches deep.  If you held the handle such that the blades only dug an inch or so deep, you would be able to cut the groove as fast as you are able to walk.  They don't work well at all in rocky ground like at my current QTH but they are very easy to use in decent soil, and I've seen them work well even in hard ground if there aren't rocks.  I think it would at least be worth checking your local rental places to check.

73,
Dave   AB7E




------Original Mail------
From: <k4fj at aol.com>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:18:16 -0400
Subject: [TowerTalk] radials

I am planning a 160M vertical with radials.? I am looking for a device that will attach to my tractor's 3 point hitch and cut a narrow and shallow slit in the ground.? I know Verizon using something similar but it also feeds the wire in the trench and it is?deeper than what I desire.

I understand about laying radials on the ground and letting grass grow over them so they disappear.? I have done that and it works when you have grass or vegetation to grow.? The area I am planning to work has little vegetation so I want to lay the wire in a shallow slit and tack it down with lawn staples or similar.? I do not want the radial wire laying on the surface.

Please advise if you know of a tractor implement or other device?that may meet my needs.? I could use my old suburban edger with a batch of blades but that isn't a lot of fun in Virginia summer heat, but it is a backup plan.

The shallow slit could be one to two inches and make me really happy.

73, Steve, k4fj

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