"John N9JG" wrote in message
...
I wonder where that figure of "20db" comes from? Did you just pull it out
of the aether?


Wonder no more. It comes from an article on vertical antenna ground
enhancement off the DX Engineering website. Here is the link oh ye of little
faith...

1.
http://www.dxengineering.com/techarticles.asp?ID={A46FA56A-2E82-4AF9-9427-6592FC5CFCB7}

--

Charlie
Deep South 2 Meter SSB Net
www.deepsouthnet.net






"Charlie" wrote in message
...
I agree with spamtank about adding ground radials. My 5BTV has 72 ground
radials and it really does perform well. Pics of the installation here.

1. http://www.ad5th.com/5-BTV.html

Ground return currents are the "other half" of any vertical antenna.
Grab an extra 20db by adding lots of them. Mine total around 1300 ft or
wire.