[TowerTalk] 1/4 wave vertical with counterpoise

[David Gilbert]

Jim, I can see where my wording could be interpreted incorrectly since 
the word "to" has multiple meanings, but that isn't what I said.  Read 
it instead as "alternative to the earth path".  That's less ambiguous, 
but I think the phrasing is really awkward.

Dave  AB7E



On 1/17/2026 2:49 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
> 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
>
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