[TowerTalk] Ground radials for phased arrays

[n0tt1 at juno.com]

Greetings and thanks to all that responded to my question!

Gosh, there's a lot of arguments, pro and con about intersecting
wires, soldering, insulated or not!!  And then added to the mix 
are elevated radials!   After receiving several inputs on this,
I think I'll go with the overlapping wires instead of soldering.  The
primary
reason is that I want to use insulated "surplus" WD1A wire that contains
some steel strands AND plated copper strands inside a tight,
tough-as-nails
insulation.  Yeah, I could solder the stuff, but I can't see myself
having to coat all those connections with tar or whatever to prevent
the steel strands from rusting away.  The element base ends will be
soldered and protected from corrosion.

I made some tests on WD1A wire, figuring that water might wick in 
the ends.  I soaked several ends in water for a week, 
then examined the results.  To my surprise it just wicked 
in about 1/16" and that was that. The wire might have some 
kind of coating in it that allows preservation....whatever.  I find 
that the "flavor" of WD1A I have is good stuff for radials if I use
enough of it.  I'm planning to lay down over 100  0.4wl radials per
element.  That should do the job I would think.  Elevated
radials are not an option for me at the phased array site.

Gents, thanks again for your input!

73,
Charlie, N0TT


-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
>> Gents,
>>
>> About on-the-ground radials for vertical phased arrays...some
>> "instructions"
>> have said to connect the ends of the radials to a "buss" that (more or
>> less)
>> divides the 4 elements in say, a 7mhz 4-square.
>>
>> My question is why do that....Is it just to save on radial wire
>> or is there a technical reason for connecting them to a buss?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Charlie, N0TT