Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:15:20 +0000 (UTC)
From: "n1bkb@aol.com" <n1bkb@aol.com>
To: John Webster NN1SS <nn1ssnh@gmail.com>, CrankupTiltover Towers
<crankuptiltovertowers@groups.io>, Towertalk Reflector
<towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Raised Radial Spacing
Hi John,
While I have not tried the grounding system you suggested, I checked with
the mfr of my Zero Five 43' vertical and he approved my alternate grounding
solution.
Five years ago my XYL wanted to replace the small back yard field of grass
I had the semi-circle of grounding radials in (limited space & antenna
location issues) with pavers to make an outdoor entertainment area.
My solution was to work with the paver contractor and after he had prepared
the area and put down the layer of sand, I bought 100' (long) x 4' tall 2"x
4" galvanized fencing. I then laid the fencing down in the sand to create a
42' x 8' "carpet" of grounding material that I attached to a 1' square ft
metal plate I placed around the base of the vertical's mast ... and
attached the wire carpet in 6 different places with #12 stranded wire
soldered to the fencing (I needed a plumber's torch and steel wool to clean
the galvanize off and solder the joints).? I then coated all the solder
joints with Krylon clear paint to protect them from the elements.? I also
used some of the left over fencing so there's a 4' x 8' add in one area
(making the carpet 12' x 8' in that one spot).? Of course, the 3 pieces of
fencing all got soldered together in MULTIPLE places to assure electrical
conductivity throughout.
Forgot to mention ... there are two 8' ground rods from the initial antenna
installation adjacent to the vertical and they too are attached to that
square grounding plate.
My contractor then completed the job so my radial system is completely
hidden under the pavers.? The XYL is happy because she got her
entertainment space complete with a fire pit and my antenna seems to work
better on 80m & 160m than when I had the 16 various length radials in the
grass connected to that square metal plate I previously mentioned ... WIn,
win!
Good luck with your grounding system project.
73 - Steve N1BKB
## IMO, that's an ingenious solution for the 43' tall vertical. While
K9YC might not like it, I think it's a viable solution. Above ground
radials on postage stamp city lots is not always viable, nor digging up the
lawn to install buried radials, nor elevated radials. He does not have a
lot of options, especially with paver's involved.
## I have often thought the galvanized fencing material could be laid
down, BEFORE installing a new lawn, either a new seeded lawn, or using the
rolled up lawn. In that case, every square inch could be covered with mesh
material.
## The only thing I would be worried about in Steve's case is the 3 phase
HV lines next to his property line.
Jim VE7RF
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