Very helpful, thanks!

I hear so much about symetrical grounds run along the ground . but all it does is make a bunch of horizontal antennas that cancel each other out. If you only have a few going to one side it acts as a folded dipole and actually puts out a nice signal in a horizontal way. As long as it matches the coax the radio doesnt care if its a symetrical ground plane which radiates little or a horizontal radiator which gets out there.

A few raised ground-plane radials typically has less loss than burying miles of wire in the dirt. Many higher frequency antennas are/were elevated ground-planes; low loss. Even an HF vertical may benefit from an elevated installation, with a few elevated ground radials. Especially if they're laid-out in the direction you want to reach. An End Fed Half-Wave is high impedance at the feed point, and can use a simple ground stake or even a very short counterpoise. A half-wave vertical (fed in the middle, elevated feed point) doesn't need a ground plane. If you're (very) near the ocean, then you likely won't need much wire. In summary, there are other options than burying miles of wire in the dirt.

@HamShackReviews

Ай бұрын

Thank you for the other options, very good information. This video was talking about ground mounted verticals, when first installed mine did not have a radial system. When I added one the addition made a very noticeable improvement.

Not all vertical antennas essentially need ground-radials, of course. I like the T2LT "flowerpot" vertical dipole, for this reason. Install it at a reasonable height, and I think ground-losses will be tolerable; I suggest mount it at least a half-wave above ground at the bottom-end.

@HamShackReviews

Ай бұрын

Installed at a reasonable height no longer makes it a ground mounted vertical so I can see your point, Mounting it at least a half way length above the ground removes the need for ground radials. However, short radials like the Gap Titan antennas have would be beneficial.

Very interesting info.👍🍻🤠🇦🇺⁷³

@HamShackReviews

Ай бұрын

Thanks 👍

Good info as always.

@HamShackReviews

Жыл бұрын

thank you

What is the spacing from the antenna feed point to the radial hub??? This is critical due to the fact the feed point impedance can change.

It depends on ground moisture content, soil composition and if there are metal structures near by, cirrect?

@HamShackReviews

Ай бұрын

Yes, ground moisture content and soil composition are important but radials can make up the difference if one or two of these are insufficient. Metal objects are almost always a problem.