ferrymanr wrote:
To improve the ground plane of my roof mounted HF verrtical I plan on lining
the flat roof of my house with chicken wire (wire mesh) which comes in rolls
6' (2M) wide. As this is fabricated from fairly thin galvanised steel wire
I am not sure how to join the strips of mesh or make ground connection to
it. Can it be soldered?
I also plan on retaining the radials which run from the base of the antenna
to the edges of the roof and down to ground level. Should these be above or
below the mesh?
Thanks de Dick G4BBH



Once you have a mesh size of about 1 ft square it looks like a solid
copper sheet to RF. Putting your radials underneath will achieve nothing
they will be screened by the mesh.

Its also doubtful if they will have any value with such a high density mesh.


Galvanised wire wont last long laying on the ground. You can buy some
mesh at some places which is actually coated with copper. Its plated
with copper. Bird breeders seem to be demanding this stuff more and
more, which is very convenient to say the least.

You will have to solder mesh. The problem is that after the galvenising
process there is a nasty muck left on the wire thats hard to remove.

I would use a general purpose flux and use a pain brush to apply the
flux and leave it overnight to eat this crud away. I would then solder
the next day using heavy flux. Just watch your soldering tip, i would
wash it regularly because the flux is so aggressive it will eat away
your tip doing such a big job. I would use a very cheap solid tip iron
that you can file away and wash.


To me the job is such an horrendous thought that laying down 60 clean
copper wire radials looks like a simple job!

To each their own.


Greg