[UK-CONTEST] Vertical radials

[Ken Chandler]

Hi Guys
Did I hear correct a while ago when someone, possibly Clive, said that if
you cannot get the radials lengths in your allotted space just coil the ends
up!!

Ken..G0ORH


-----Original Message-----
From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of MM0BQI
Sent: 12 October 2009 22:33
To: gm4kln at cairn-ltd.co.uk; 'UK-Contest'
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Vertical radials

Hi Ian
I have a bit of experience with the Hustler, dragging it round most of
Scotland over the past few years and it has served me very well!  I am sure
the experts will fill you in on what you should do so I will just let you
know what has worked for me.
I have tried lifting the base and using raised radials (two per band) which
works okay but not enough to make me want to climb over lots of radials to
get near the antenna.
The 20 foot radials will work fine if you have lots of them.  They should be
as long as you can manage, do not worry about specific lengths as tuning
them will have no effect as they are so close to the ground. I usually work
with 8 or 16 shortish radials and add two or four at 10m if I can find the
space.  Not sure if this improves things but it makes me feel better!  There
is a difference you can hear between 8 and 16 radials, I have gone as high
as 32 but the additional improvement was not worth the effort.
I believe the old adage applies that you should lay down as much wire as you
can in the space available, at least you will 'feel' you are then getting
out as best you can!
For 80m I ran a 66 foot wire to the top of the aerial then away to a
suitable post.  Even this very low inverted L knocked spots of the Hustler
with the big loading couil at the top.
My traps heat up with 150 watts during RTTY contests so maybe watch out for
that (I have the 5BTV and it is about 8 years old) Enjoy the antenna, I am
sure it will stand up very well to the 'slight' 
breezes you have up there.
73
Jim

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ian GM4KLN" <gm4kln at cairn-ltd.co.uk>
To: "'UK-Contest'" <UK-Contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 4:12 PM
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Vertical radials


> Hi folks
>
> Just installing a 6BTV which will be at ground level on heavy, stony
> Scottish Highlands ground. Radials will be permanent, and lain on top of 
> the
> grass with a view to them disappearing into the ground by spring next 
> year.
> Interest is DX, contesting: NVIS minimal interest. 80m is not a key goal
> with this antenna - 20, 30, 40 are.
>
> There is enough room to get a 360 spread of 20' radials which will cover 
> the
> near field fine.
>
> But over and above this: am I likely to get any practical benefit from
> adding additional radials of 30' (in a bow-tie) or even 60' in certain
> directions  (i.e. diagonal in a rectangular plot)
>
> If so.....can these also be random length, or will tuned for lowest band
> (80) reap benefit.
>
> Any sources of radial wire in the Highlands also welcome!
>
> 73, Ian GM4KLN
>
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> 



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