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Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2006 22:45:49 +0200
From: Wolf DL4YHF <dl4yhf@freenet.de>
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Subject: Re: LF: the use of long radials
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Hi Dick,

I experimented with "long" (well, in terms of wavelength still very 
short) radials at the club station, to increase the antenna current 
while keeping the transmitter power constant. Result:

When I *only* use the AC mains as ground, the antenna current was a bit 
higher than when additional radials were connected (in parallel with the 
AC earth line). So, in my case, the radials were not worth the effort. 
But things may be different when the antenna is smaller : Read the 
comments about the "footprint" theory mentioned earlier. If you have the 
chance to use the electricity system, or even better a cold water pipe 
as ground system, better put the wire up in the air to increase the 
footprint.
My antenna (at DK4U / DF0WD, which is the same) has the footprint of a 
football field :o) but it's only above 10 meters above ground in 
average, and very lossy because it is steel wire ("NATO telephone 
cable", cheap but very rigid) .

Best regards,
  Wolf .

Dick schrieb:
> Anyone knows if it makes sence to use some long radials 100-300m long
> in combination with a spiral-coil toploaded vertical with 4x20m 
> toploading wires.
> Or is this just wasting time and wire......
>  
> Dick, pa4vhf