Buck,
Use some of that 500 foot spool of wire and run a few radials instead
of the rod. Works just as well, if not better, Same amount of 'work'
involved though, just different.
All 'lop-sided' antennas need a ground to be 'happy'. Putting a
ground in dirt usually works better than using the house wiring for a
ground (RF wise), as you found out.
- 'Doc


A ground should be above 'clothes-line' height, or below where the
lawn mower will catch it. After that, almost anything will work, sort
of...