----- Original Message -----
From: "Herb Schoenbohm" <herbs@vitelcom.net>
To: <topband@contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2011 4:30 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: Fence "ground screen" instead of wire radials?
> On 9/2/2011 6:06 PM, Brian Machesney wrote:
>>> Thanks to NI0C for reminding me that this info was presented by NC0B
>>
> Chicken wire or rabbit wire make an inexpensive alternative to an
> expanded copper mesh ground screen. Just roll it out in multiple
> directions from the tower base and tack it to the ground on top of the
> grass. The grass will grow through it in a short period and it will be
> invisible. that is easier than rolling up the sod for sure. The only
> problem is the connection but since the actual tower is most likely
> galvanized steel there isn't an issue of dissimilar metal just figuring
> out how to making a convenient connection via a galvanize steel bus with
> similar jumpers to the actual tower. Soldering is not possible and cad
> weld is expensive. Tinned copper braid jumpers with the proper
> preparation can work and galvanized steel angle brackets as well.
I used 4' x 50' rabbit mesh (2x4") that was welded, then galvanized and then
plastic dipped for over 10 years at a prior QTH. It was purchased that way
at a garden store.
Galvanizing is very easy to solder to with just normal rosin solder and all
I did was run some stranded #12 copper to the #6 copper ring at the base of
the shunt fed tower. A bit of spray autobody undercoating sealed the mesh
solder connections.
Prior to this there were 60 radials, 60-135' long and performance was fair.
With the 4 sections of mesh on top of them it became a pileup buster and
contest winner.
Carl
KM1H
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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