I always liked this article where they optimize the length of wire you
have vs. radial count vs. radial length.
http://ncjweb.com/bonus-content/k3lcmaxgainradials.pdf
The radials on my 160 meter vertical are all different lengths to fit
the available space. I've made 1000's of contacts on it. I keep
adding new radials over time and some have gotten broken off.
Despite it all it doesn't really seem to make any difference and becomes
a diminishing return.
I see no reason to make yourself crazy trying to do quarter wave plus
5%. It's going to vary based on soil conditions plus what exactly is a
quarter wave radial? You'd have to measure the velocity factor radial
wire. Just lay down as many as your back, wallet, and space allows.
KB3X
On 2/27/2016 3:27 PM, Grant Saviers wrote:
installing a 40/80 meter vertical (DX Engineering 8040VA-1) which calls
for 65 foot radials. However, I recently saw a video of an antenna
presentation by W3LPL in which Frank suggests 70 foot radials for an 80
meter antenna. I'll be burying the radials about an inch in the ground.
Will it really make a dime's worth of difference whether I cut the
radials
at 65 ft or 70 ft? My understanding of radials has always been that
elevated radials should be cut at a quarter wave plus 5%, but ground
radial
length isn't critical. I just wanted to get a consensus before I start
chopping up thousands of feet of wire.
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