One approach I learned from W3YOZ avoids soldering radials, which is time
consuming and ineffective unless great pains are taken to completely
waterproof each soldered connection. Marty installs a star network of
ground rods around the base of a tower, thoroughly bonded electrically
together and to the tower ground. These rods protrude upwards a foot or so.
All the radials in each sector (#14 THHN Solid) are then stripped and
brought up against the rod, which has been steel wool cleaned for good
electrical contact. Then stainless hose clamps secure the wire along the
length of the rod for six inches or so. Finally, each individual rod is
covered in Scotch 88, then some of that flexible water proofing tape/gunk,
then more Scotch 88. When connections are taken apart and examined years
later, they were still clean and bright. This really cuts down on the time
needed to make and waterproof connnections, as there is no soldering
involved, and fewer connections to waterproof.
For my elevated radial system (much fewer radials) is use a circumferential
wire of #4 around the tower (insulated) and solder #12 jumpers over to the
#12 THHN Stranded radials, which gives strain relief. Each of these
connections is then waterproofed as described above. But I would definitely
economize for an in-ground system using lots of radials and go with Marty's
approach.
73
John K4IQ
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