|
Heavy Duty
Ground Radial SystemSome hams favor a certain wire type over others and believe radial lengths are most critical. I could go on and on....but I think most old-timers will agree on "get out as 'many' radials as you can and make them as 'long' as you can". Galvanized plumbers tape and 1/4 inch galvanized stove bolts! It doesn't get much simpler or easy to make. You can also use copper plumber's tape and brass bolts but it'll cost more. As a minimum, I use four ground radials at about 16 feet long each (remember more and longer is better!) which works well on 10-40 meters for me. On most portable outings when I have room I use 8 radials at 20+ feet long each. I also try to get one or two of the radials in the water if I'm near the ocean or any freshwater. This broadens the ground plane affect and helps reduce noise verticals are known for. Using plumber's tape for the wire radials is a more heavy duty approach which eliminates the coiling of smaller gauge wire on the ground (wire always tangles up when I'm around!). Insulated or bare wire for radials and the ground ring is also fine, I just prefer plumber's tape. The ground ring size I use is about 12 inches in diameter (not critical). See pictures below: John Reisenauer |