On Sun, 09 Jan 2005 11:33:44 GMT, news wrote:

I need to improve my ground system, and am thinking of burying some
radials under the lawn.

[I realise this is not the most efficient way to do it from an
electrical point of view, but the alternative approach of installing the
radials above the ground is completely out of the question, for
aesthetic reasons].

Some practical questions:

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1. What is the "best" type of wire (or braid) to use for the radials?

Some of my literature recommends against braided or woven conductors
as having too high a surface resistance to lightning and RF,
especially if they get corroded. Wide smooth surfaces are better.

You might try Lowe's Home Improvement or Home Depot -- they both sell
500-ft. rolls of #12 copper wire for about $20. That'd save you going
to the poorhouse, on this :-)

2. How do I bond the radials together? (I guess my 15-watt soldering
iron won't be up to the job ...).

A Weller SP-120 (120 watts, 1/2" tip) or SP-170 (170 watts, 5/8" tip)
would do the job. Either of these is also great for soldering coax
plugs (I have the SP-170 & it's a barnburner). If you can't find the
irons locally at a hardware or hobby shop, a Google search brings them
up, online.

Bob
k5qwg


3. What kind of solder and flux should I use?

4. What precautions should I take to minimise the effects of corrosion
at the joints?

5. How deep should I bury the radials? Two inches, six inches, 12
inches?

6. Is there anything else I should know?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We are on heavy clay soil that alternates between being very dry and
very wet.

My main interest is in the lower hf bands (40/80/160) and possibly
136kHz.