N6LF has done some wonderful experimental work on vertical antennas. He found that a radial laid on the ground experiences a velocity factor similar to coax cable. A quarter wavelength is only about 60% of its free space value. If you make the radials a physical quarter wavelength long, they are actually closer to a half-wave electrical length (anti-resonant).
With 4 radials he actually got about a 3 dB improvement by making them SHORTER! For my next vertical I will definitely plan to tune the radials. I think I'll try laying out a 1/2-wave dipole on the ground and then trim it to resonance. Then cut all the radials to equal the length of one half of the dipole. Al N1AL On Tue, 2008-11-04 at 19:10, Ken Kopp wrote: > Of potential interest to those who use verticals with their Elecraft > rigs. > > http://www.antennasbyn6lf.com/ > > > 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [email protected] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
