[TowerTalk] ground rods and wells

[Chuck]

Ummm  Are you sure that is accurate?

Chuck W5PR

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rik van Riel" <riel at surriel.com>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2011 5:19 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ground rods and wells


> On 01/06/2011 04:19 PM, Roger (K8RI) wrote:
> 
>> Many as it really doesn't help the performance.  These deep grounds are
>> for safety and have little effect on RF and particularly verticals. Of
>> course we often hear of some one who has their vertical right over an
>> old well and says how great it performs..  Surface or elevated radials
>> make a great difference, deep grounds do not.  The deeper you go the
>> *less* effect they have on the RF efficency and radiation pattern.
> 
> The reason is simple.   Current is pushed into one side of the
> antenna and "pulled out" the other.  (to over-simplify things)
> 
> In-between both sides of the antenna, the current has to travel
> through whatever media there are.  If the current travels mostly
> through air, the power you push to your antenna is radiated.
> 
> If the current travels mostly through the ground, the power you
> push down your coax will keep earthworms warm in winter.
> 
> Put your radial straight down into the ground, and you'll be
> doing a lot of earthworm warming and less radiating.
> 
> Keep your radials above ground, you'll do more radiating.
> 
> Elevate your radials, and you'll do even less earthworm warming.
> 
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