[Antennas] ground mounted vertical radials question

Sat Nov 11 00:37:34 EST 2006

Hello to all. Will be installing a Hustler 5BTV vertical on the ground, up
in the country where there is no problem with people tripping over radials.
The radials will NOT be buried. They will be placed upon the ground. Been
reading my reference material on radials, but would like to hear from
operators that have been there/done that. The lowest band will be 80 meters
and the highest 10 meters. Hustler recommends at least two radials per
band. Then, been reading W2FMI's book about short verticals. Think he was
happy with about 40 radials. Am I on the right track, the more radials, the
better, up to a certain point? The soil there is very dry unless it has
been raining. As soon as the sun comes out, there goes the moisture content
of the soil. So, would it be better to spread, say 40 radials at 1/8
wavelength, or maybe 20 at 1/4 wavelength? Would you spread some for just
80, or do a combination of the different bands? If this was salt water, bet
you could throw a coat hanger in there, but it is not. Any good ideas? I
am leaning towards less radials and longer radials, but experience is the
best teacher. Thank you for your comments/recommendations, Dave, NC6P.