"Reg Edwards" wrote in message
...
I should have mentioned. When measuring signal strengths as a measure of
performance there's safety in numbers. Take the average of a fair number
of
transmissions, all well above the noise level, at about the same time each
day, using your most stable S-meter with the receiver gain turned down
such
that the meter deflection is on the most sensitive sector of its scale.
Allow the receiver to warm up for the same length of time on each occasion
it is used.

S-meter calibration doesn't matter two hoots.

And once set, don't ever touch the receiver gain control.

You should take all these precautions from the time when you have laid
only
one radial. You will not wish to dig up already laid radials in order to
re-measure the earlier ones you forgot to treat in the standard manner.

It will be appreciated, to make tests during radial-laying operations by
asking for signal strength reports from your many friends, using THEIR
S-meters, will result in you losing them.

Incidentally, when "I" used this method of testing antenna efficiency I
stopped at 8, 10 feet, radials with a 3 feet rod at the end of each. This
included the domestic incoming main water pipe which made no difference
when
THAT was connected. So I stopped.

But my soil resistivity is only about 70 ohm-metres. I can grow anything
in
my garden. At present it is covered with a dense growth of 3 feet high
weeds except for a small patch which I use to feed the birds. As if they
didn't get enough to eat anyhow. With the trees and overgrown bushes it
is
a wild-life sanctuary for frogs, rats, squirrels and hedgehogs. The only
complaints I get are from the neighbours. But its stopped them
complaining
about TVI.
---
Reg, G4FGQ


Sounds a little like my counterpoise. 12 wires 12ft long, Short ground rod
at far end of each wire just to pin it down. 10ft 2inch pipe in the middle
for ground/ mount. You can get an idea of resistance to ground by
connecting 120 VAC to the ground system through a fuse and see how big of a
fuse you can blow. I rigged a fuse holder with a neon blown fuse indicator
to a piece of PVC pipe. last time I checked mine it would pop a 10amp fuse.