It seems to me that whether or not one grounded the far end of a radial would make no difference. I don't see why one would want to ground the end of their radial, but if it was done with a ground rod that's not really much of a "ground" for rf. Think about it: a single ground rod at the base of a vertical isn't going to provide much of a "ground" -- that's why we need radials. A ground rod at the far end of a radial will provide a similar crummy rf ground thus limiting any effect it would have on that radial at rf.
Also, for any reasonable number of radials resonance doesn't really matter since its providing a ground screen (for on- or under-ground radials). The radial network is a non-resonant counterpoise. -Bill Sent from my iPhone On Jan 25, 2014, at 3:58 PM, "Charlie Cunningham" <[email protected]> wrote: > I generally agree with you, Bob - especially with regard to not grounding > the far ends of 1/4 wave radials!! After all what we are trying to > establish is a low-impedance "image plane" for the vertical radiator to be > fed against! A 1/4 wave wire, grounded at the far end would have a high > impedance to ground at the base, or feed-point, of the antenna! Makes no > sense! Would not result in a very favorable "driving-point impedance! > > 73, > Charlie, K4OTV > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Topband [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bob > Eldridge > Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2014 3:46 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Topband: Grounding the ends of radials > >> I posted this on TowerTalk and I got a couple of responses as to why >> the ends of ground radials should not be grounded. > Isn't it dependent on whether you want the radials resonant or not? And > if you do want them resonant, on the length of the radial? > It doesn't make sense to ground the far end of a quarter wave radial if > you want a low impedance at the base of the antenna. It does make sense if > you have short radials and want to intercept the "return current". > Bob VE7BS > > _________________ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > > _________________ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
