[TowerTalk] Chicken Wire Ground Screen

[Joe Giacobello]

I know that there are several folks out there who are using chicken wire 
ground screens in addition to radials for their verticals.  I'm curious 
to know if the various sections of chicken wire are (1) soldered to one 
another and (2) to the radial system?  I'd guess if the chicken wire 
sections were overlapped at their edges, there would be a high 
probability of their making contact somewhere along their length so that 
soldering wouldn't be unnecessary.  No?
 
I presume that the lifetime on the ground for the chicken wire is 
relatively short?  Two-three years?  OTOH, wouldn't the remnants of the 
wire and its degradation products enhance the conductivity of the soil 
surrounding the antenna so that the remaining radials are now more 
effective?

Just curious to know what your collective experiences and thoughts are 
on this subject.

Thanks for your input.

73, Joe
K2XX