Verticals … radials … what’s the right thing to do?

Even though I have a Butternut vertical in the antenna arsenal, this .pdf file from SteppIR, is one of THE best articles about radials that I have ever read.  It’s in “plain ol’ English” and doesn’t require you to have a Doctorate in RF Theory to understand it.  Just thought I would share!

http://www.steppir.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Radial-Systems-for-Verticals-Rev2.1.pdf

I currently have about 50 radials under my Butternut.  Looks like I could stand to add some more next Summer – although I’m currently close to the point of “no extra benefit”.  Looks like with about 25 more, I can get a bit closer to that 90% efficient point. And “next time” (if there ever is one), I will seriously consider NOT ground mounting my next vertical.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!

Larry Makoski, W2LJ, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Jersey, USA. Contact him at [email protected].

2 Responses to “Verticals … radials … what’s the right thing to do?”

  • Ron W8VZM:

    Thanks for sharing this Larry. It is well written and informative. I can use to “tune up” my vertical.

  • Mark AI4HO:

    Thank you for the article. I have a GAP Challenger, my third GAP antenna, had a Challenger about ten years ago, sold it to try a Titan, which I sold when my tower went up..no room for both. Now back to the Challenger, great antenna, have heard a lot of good things about the Butternut as well. When I had my first GAP antenna, tried the more radial the better route, had 32 I think it was when all was said and done. Only run three as is recommended never had any better or worse function either way. For some verticlals, radials are a must, others not so much. To each his own, but I will read this article, maybe get a few pointers in the process, anything to make an antenna function to its optimum.

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