[TowerTalk] 1/4 wave vertical with counterpoise

[Jim Brown]

On 1/17/2026 10:10 AM, David Gilbert wrote:
> It does not need a radial system of wires to avoid loss.  It just needs 
> an alternative path to the earth for near field return currents, and 
> that can be had with a proper counterpoise.

NO! Radials do NOT provide a path to earth, which is a big resistor. 
They are a REPLACEMENT for earth as return for antenna current! A good 
radial system SHIELDS the antenna's EM field from lossy earth in the 
very near field.

In arrays like a 4-square, a good radial system serves to improve the 
balance between elements, with the primary effect of deepening the 
nulls, secondarily improving the forward gain.

73, Jim K9YC