I was not sure how folded radials would work in my small backyard while
installing my radial system for my W9AD vertical multiband phase system. On
antenna one, I had 20 radials working well that were buried averaging around
30
feet. Without much room, you may recall from earlier postings I could only
fan out the radials in a 40 degree space away from the antenna in my yard, all
in the same direction going east.
On the second antenna, I could not risk digging up my yard cutting up my
existing radials so I simply took a radial from it and tied into the existing
system. Then I used 10 folded radials, buried, along the side of my house and
parts of my yard and fence line where I knew I had not placed any radials and
the results were excellent. These radials averaged around 60 feet in
length. Folded in all sorts of contortions.
My bandwidth on the first vertical went from around 80Khz down to 65Khz and
the SWR at resonance rose up. Since this was the antenna I had for past
reference, it was the one used to measure the difference. I also measured my
impedance at the antenna feed point which dropped 7 ohms from it's previous
reading.
Once the system is up and running, I'll let you know who it is working. Of
note, I am using the Cushcraft 8040V verticals. They are ok but suffer from
QC issues. You need to have some patients in building these things and I
don't think they are built to have a long survival rate. They also go whacko
in
rain or snow so if you live wet area, you might consider the Butternut
HF2V's. I'm off the subject but I'm still pulling out fiberglass splinters
from
building these antennas.
No need to respond unless you want to. I thought I just throw my two cents
in about folded radials because I thought they were not all that effective.
So far for me they have worked great in my little backyard.
73 Paul N0AH
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|