[TowerTalk] Raised Radial Spacing

[Mike Fatchett W0MU]

You can fold a 66ft radial back on itself if you have 33 ft.  Or double 
back all the radials, etc.

On 10/28/2025 1:01 PM, browndog2344 at gmail.com wrote:
> Thank you for all the responses – 28 last I counted!  The depth of the bench on this reflector is always amazing!  A couple of clarifications – as noted by John KK9A, I am in an HOA, but my available real estate is quite limited due to landscaping / new large deck, concrete curbing, etc not shown in Goggle Earth pictures.  Jim K9YC, your considerable knowledge is much appreciated.  Chuck W5PR, Mike VE9AA, Brian K6STI and several others – too many to list, also provided several ideas that I had not thought of.  My plan going forward is 3-fold.
>
> *	Set up the elevated radial field along the vinyl fence, building them as tuned dipoles first and then adjust when attached to the vertical.
>
> *	Jim and John got me to realize that I can install ground radials, but they will not have symmetry.  I can probably lay down about twenty 33-foot radials (with bends), but all in one direction (to the east) with the vertical tied in at the far end, next to the vinyl fence – not the middle.  I can also install a few short radials to the north and south.  Zero radials to the west.
>
> *	Lastly, I like the idea of trying one raised radial per band.  I am currently using a SteppIR CrankIR which is a manually adjustable vertical wire with a single adjustable raised radial.  It has worked very well for me in the situation I am currently in. This is why I am going the BigIR route.  It seems plausible that this would work and simplify installation.
>
> My goal will be to test all three alternatives and evaluate which works best for my location.  I have my work cut out for me.  Winter is around the corner in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho!  The good news is that I will be in Florida for Jan and Feb – maybe I can catch up on all of Jim’s papers while on the beach!  Thanks again to all for the excellent responses.
>
> 73
>
> Dale
>
> AF7WH
>
>   
>
>   
>
> On Fri, Oct 24, 2025 at 6:07 PM Dale Dean <browndog2344 at gmail.com <mailto:browndog2344 at gmail.com> > wrote:
>
> I have a SteppIR BigIR vertical that I am refurbishing.  It will be installed in a small backyard that does not allow for the normal ground radial system (such as 60 ea at 33').  I will need to go to 2 ea tuned elevated radials for each band (80 thru 10 - 8 bands).  My solution (I think the only one I have due to lot restrictions) is to run the radials along the vinyl fence.  The vertical is mounted on a 4x4 post at 5 feet above the ground.  One direction has about 70' of length (straight) but the other direction has a 90-degree turn about 20 feet down from the antenna and then a straight shot the rest of the lengths so the radials for 80, 40, and 30 will have a 90-degree bend at that point and then continue on straight.  All the radials will follow the fence line so they will not be spaced out is a circular distribution from the antenna.  There will be about 1 to 2 feet of horizonal spacing in the plane for 4 bands (80, 40, 30 and 20).  I will do a similar install for the 17, 15, 12
>    and 10m bands but will have them be 1 to 2 feet down vertically from the 1st set of radials.  Hopefully, this is clear and not confusing - I do not think I am able to post a diagram of what I want to try.
>
> Couple of questions:
>
> Will this work?
>
> What is the minimum spacing horizontally and vertically for the radials as proposed?
>
> Any other suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
> Dale
> AF7WH
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