[Antennas] The big picture?

Sun Oct 3 20:30:11 EDT 2004

de WB2CPN 2004年10月03日
Radials can be considered a source of current to push
up the vertical antenna, or they can be considered a
method of assisting the surface of the ground to be a
better reflector for the signal which is radiated in
a downward direction from the antenna. Whether they
help or not depends upon so many factors that it's
difficult to model. My situation here is that I use
a 64 foot well casing for a source of current, and
radials to help with the ground reflection. Since
a wire can't be very resonant when it on or in the
soil I'd say radial length stated in quarter waves
or multiples is just blowing smoke. Far field
measurements are good, but the actual position and
shape of the lobes is paramount. (From visiting
some of my ham buddies over the years I've found
that many of their antenna connections were so
corroded that any theory went that a way.)
73 Clete
73 Clete