I'm constructing a vertical antenna and I'm about to start laying radials.

F/O will be 40 through 15 meters. The vertical element will be 26 feet
in height. There will be a remote controlled antenna coupler mounted at
the base. I'm using 18 AWG magnet wire for the radials. The radials
will be short (no options here) but there will be a lot of them. I plan
on about 18" of separation between the radial tips and I have more than
enough radial wire to work with. The radials will be stapled directly
to the outer surface of the planet.

I could cut the radials to be the same length, forming a circular
pattern on the ground. Or, I could vary the lengths to take advantage
of the available land, which would result in a square pattern on the
ground. In either case, the antenna would be in the center of the
radial field. And, in either case, opposing radials would be of the
same length.

The square radial field would allow some of the radials to be longer
which seems desireable. The circular radial field would be, well,
circular..

The circular pattern radials would be about 25' long. The longest of
the square pattern radials would be something like 35' long. (Assuming
my high school geometry isn't as hazy as everything else from that long
ago era...)

The radials are laying on the ground, and non-resonant, does it matter
if they're all the same length? Is the symmetry important? If I go
with a square pattern how careful must I be with the radial lengths? Is
this a measurement to be made with the hairy eyeball or do I need to get
out measuring tools?

I'm inclined to just cover the available ground with as much copper as I
can and call it a day. This would result in a square-ish pattern on the
ground with opposing radials being similar in length. Is this
inclination fraught with peril?
--
73,
Hank