[TowerTalk] Radial question

[jimlux]

On 2/29/16 10:58 AM, Doug Turnbull wrote:
> Dear OMs and YLs,
>
> Yes all this is true but do not forget the actual radial length will be
> shorter than 0.4 Wavelength when on the ground.   It may be electrically 0.4
> wavelength but physically it is considerable shorter as the ground changes
> the velocity factor.
>

I think the issue with radials on or in the ground is more a matter of 
"improving the conductivity" in the near field and it's more related to 
the physical height of the vertical radiator, than any sort of fraction 
of a wavelength effect.


So, if you had a 5-10 meter tall radiator, being used on 80m or 160m, 
there's not a lot to be gained by going longer than 15-20 meters for the 
radials.