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Re: Topband: Laying ground radials

To: VK3HJ <vk3hj@wia.org.au>, topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Laying ground radials
From: Grant Saviers <grants2@pacbell.net>
Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2018 17:20:24 -0700
List-post: <mailto:topband@contesting.com>
I pulled >1500' of 1" pvc water line in glued together 200' lengths 8" beneath an adobe cattle pasture using a Kellems swivel grip attached to a single point ripper on a 70hp tractor. My ripper was 1" plate on a 3 point hitch so start and stop was easy. A hole was dug at each 200' joint to glue the pvc lengths together.

I think the same idea would work for radials except where rocks or large roots preclude it. Dig a trench around the vertical base to get the wire started and drive it out to the right length. For radials I think 3/8" max 1/2" thick steel plate would work with a hole in the back side to fasten the wire. With a ride on mower maybe a tilting ripper blade would make the start/stop/backup pretty easy. IMO, pretty simple to get something like that welded up to fit the mower hitch. Or buy a commercial single point ripper for you tractor.

Grant KZ1W

On 6/6/2018 16:31 PM, VK3HJ wrote:
Later this year, I plan to lay down an in-ground radial field. I have sourced a copper wire supplier and have costed approximately 2000 m of 1.2 mm bare copper at around $800.

Presently, I use an elevated counterpoise of 4 x quarterwave radials each for 180 and 80 m.

I need to lay the wire just under the turf as I have livestock in the paddock.

The radial field will be mostly in shallow mountain soil, with a couple of surface granite rocks to negotiate, as well as a large gum tree on one edge with many surface roots.

I have a tractor, but feel that this will churn up the ground too much with the density of the work to be done. I have a ride-on mower that may be more useful.

I will need to lay in the radials by hand around the rocks and tree roots, but would like to do it more easily for the rest of the job!

What sort of implement can I obtain or create for this job?

73,

Luke VK3HJ

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