[TowerTalk] Radial field question Single radial wires vs mesh and more

[Charles Farr]

I've always identified an interconnected mesh, regardless of what metal 
it's mad of as a counterpoise. It may, or may not be "tuned".

Radials are generally identified as being of specific lengths generally 
1/4 wavelength to provide the other half to the vertical 1/4 wave in 
question, or the the part that make it a vertical dipole. As the radials 
may be either one the ground, or elevated, provides a more manageable 
match to the antenna system.

I'm sure have stated this, I will have to don my asbestos underwear. 
Conceptually, since my teens I have understood it this way.

73

Chuck, W6AJW



On 10/27/2016 10:10 AM, Kevin Kidd wrote:
> Mike,
>
> If it's not copper or some alloy thereof, don't waste your time for a
> permanent installation.  Unless it is in a desert region, it's useful life
> could probably be measured in months.  I have and can get copper expanded
> mesh but we no longer use it very much in broadcast.  We typically build an
> AM ground system using 120ea 1/4wave radials and 120ea 50ft radials to
> concentrate as much copper around the tower base as possible.  We do
> sometimes use the copper mesh on top of large concrete pads for self
> supporting towers.
>
> The expanded copper mesh comes in rolls that are 8x24ft and now sells for
> about $500/roll.  It wasn't many years ago that I was paying about $150 per
> roll but sources have dried up and the cost has gone out the roof.
>
> Ironically, I am working on an AM broadcast tower right now where someone
> had the great idea of putting down either stucco mesh or something
> similar.  It doesn't look like rabbit or chicken wire.  It has been in the
> ground a number of years but you can literally pull it up in pieces with
> your bare hand.  This, as well as their attempts at bonding obviously
> failed many, many years ago.
>
> Regards,
>
> Kevin C. Kidd, CSRE/AMD
> Lawrenceburg, TN
> AM Ground Systems Company  -  WD4RAT
> kkidd at kkbc.com  --  866-22-RADIO -- 866-227-2346
> www.amgroundsystems.com
>
> On Wed, Oct 26, 2016 at 8:36 PM, W0MU Mike Fatchett <w0mu at w0mu.com> wrote:
>
>> I just poured the base for a self supporting 80m full sized vertical.  The
>> manual recommends individual radial wires and to make sure they never
>> overlap as that can cause issues.
>>
>> My question.  I have a bunch of what I think is stucco mesh.  I was
>> thinking about laying down around the base of the vertical or laying out in
>> a couple of direction assuming I can get a decent bond from one piece to
>> the next.
>>
>> Is there an issue with using this mesh?  Would I just be better off
>> running single radial wires versus having a dense field around the base or
>> do both and hook up the separate radials to the end of the mesh in a
>> circular fashion.
>>
>> I just don't want to waste my time of folks don't think the mesh is worth
>> fooling around with.
>>
>> Thanks for the comments.
>>
>> Mike W0MU
>>
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