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From: "Paul A. Cianciolo" <paulc@snet.net>
To: <rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org>
Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:08:03 -0400
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Subject: LF: W1VLF 8.97 KHz UPDATE  Trees,  Questions, Ground
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Here is an update on the W1VLF 8.97 Khz transmission system.

I have in the last week built and installed a variometer into the loading
coil.
To resonate the antenna I find that I need 395 mhys.  The variometer is
located in the blue barrel section of the 2 piece coil.
The only thing I need to do to finish the variometer is put some sort of
friction collars where the adjustment rod leaves the coil, to keep it from
moving once properly adjusted.


Most of the connections on the 2 coil have been cleaned up and I have added
a handle so the unit can be easily lifted.

Now to the questions..

Looking here  http://rescueelectronics.com/9-Kilohertz.html near the bottom
of the page one can see that the tower is backed up by forest.

I wondered how much, if any,  effect on antenna current running a long
radial out in the forest would have?

So by installing the wire, and using a 0 to 100 ma Weston RF squared current
meter, I attached the radial to the ground on the coil.
As you might expect..0 or almost 0 current recorded on the meter. Actually
there was a perceptible movement but just barely.

The next step was to connect the far end of the radial to a 3 ground rod
antenna array I abandoned many years ago.
Lo and behold there was a reading of 10 ma on the RF current meter.
Thinking this was good thing, I ran a second wire to the forest and pounded
a 4' rod in.
Now the RF current meter read 25 ma but only if the wire is connect to the
ground rod.  The wire just laying on the ground made essentially no
difference.

I am hoping that the ground rods in the forest are acting like collection
points for RF current and the radial like a low loss return point to the
base of the antenna.

Also.. just concluded another test,. The current meter was brought the far
end of each radial.  the measured current was the same as on the coil end of
the circuit.

So..

A) Am I just giving the trees a better return path or  ground connection
(the radial)  to the coil???
And the power is being eaten up by the trees???


OR

B)  Is there a chance this power is actually being radiated, and therefore I
should pursuit accumulating these grounds, and their current and return it
to the coil??

What is a tree at 9 KHz???


All comments good or bad, big or small appreciated.


PauLC
W1VLF