Thank you for all the responses – 28 last I counted! The depth of the bench on this
reflector is always amazing! A couple of clarifications – as noted by John KK9A, I am in an
HOA, but my available real estate is quite limited due to landscaping / new large deck, concrete
curbing, etc not shown in Goggle Earth pictures. Jim K9YC, your considerable knowledge is much
appreciated. Chuck W5PR, Mike VE9AA, Brian K6STI and several others – too many to list, also
provided several ideas that I had not thought of. My plan going forward is 3-fold.
* Set up the elevated radial field along the vinyl fence, building them
as tuned dipoles first and then adjust when attached to the vertical.
* Jim and John got me to realize that I can install ground radials, but they
will not have symmetry. I can probably lay down about twenty 33-foot radials (with
bends), but all in one direction (to the east) with the vertical tied in at the far
end, next to the vinyl fence – not the middle. I can also install a few short
radials to the north and south. Zero radials to the west.
* Lastly, I like the idea of trying one raised radial per band. I am
currently using a SteppIR CrankIR which is a manually adjustable vertical wire
with a single adjustable raised radial. It has worked very well for me in the
situation I am currently in. This is why I am going the BigIR route. It seems
plausible that this would work and simplify installation.
My goal will be to test all three alternatives and evaluate which works best for my location. I
have my work cut out for me. Winter is around the corner in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho! The good
news is that I will be in Florida for Jan and Feb – maybe I can catch up on all of
Jim’s papers while on the beach! Thanks again to all for the excellent responses.
73
Dale
AF7WH
On Fri, Oct 24, 2025 at 6:07 PM Dale Dean <browndog2344@gmail.com
<mailto:browndog2344@gmail.com> > wrote:
I have a SteppIR BigIR vertical that I am refurbishing. It will be installed
in a small backyard that does not allow for the normal ground radial system
(such as 60 ea at 33'). I will need to go to 2 ea tuned elevated radials for
each band (80 thru 10 - 8 bands). My solution (I think the only one I have due
to lot restrictions) is to run the radials along the vinyl fence. The vertical
is mounted on a 4x4 post at 5 feet above the ground. One direction has about
70' of length (straight) but the other direction has a 90-degree turn about 20
feet down from the antenna and then a straight shot the rest of the lengths so
the radials for 80, 40, and 30 will have a 90-degree bend at that point and
then continue on straight. All the radials will follow the fence line so they
will not be spaced out is a circular distribution from the antenna. There will
be about 1 to 2 feet of horizonal spacing in the plane for 4 bands (80, 40, 30
and 20). I will do a similar install for the 17, 15, 12
and 10m bands but will have them be 1 to 2 feet down vertically from the 1st
set of radials. Hopefully, this is clear and not confusing - I do not think I
am able to post a diagram of what I want to try.
Couple of questions:
Will this work?
What is the minimum spacing horizontally and vertically for the radials as
proposed?
Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Dale
AF7WH
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