Ground conductivity's effect on vertical
On 19 Apr 2008 21:35:28 GMT, "Ed_G"
wrote: In my case, I am considering the use of a vertical at a new residence built on sand. Since I am not concerned about low angle radiation characteristics, the Half Wave may be something to consider..... giving me a fairly efficient vertical operation with some NVIS characteristics. Hi Ed, Efficient? A vertical has almost no Near Vertical radiation for Near Vertical Incidence Skywave. You can get along with "almost no," or you can simply use a low horizontal which would exhibit "a lot of" Near Vertical Incidence Skywave. Good ground, bad ground, radials, no radials won't change efficiency much for the vertical's incidence overhead (there's a hole in that pattern). 73's Richard Clark, KB7QHC |
Ground conductivity's effect on vertical
Richard Clark wrote in
: On 19 Apr 2008 21:35:28 GMT, "Ed_G" wrote: In my case, I am considering the use of a vertical at a new residence built on sand. Since I am not concerned about low angle radiation characteristics, the Half Wave may be something to consider..... giving me a fairly efficient vertical operation with some NVIS characteristics. Hi Ed, Efficient? A vertical has almost no Near Vertical radiation for Near Vertical Incidence Skywave. You can get along with "almost no," or you can simply use a low horizontal which would exhibit "a lot of" Near Vertical Incidence Skywave. Good ground, bad ground, radials, no radials won't change efficiency much for the vertical's incidence overhead (there's a hole in that pattern). 73's Richard Clark, KB7QHC Richard, By "efficient" I was referring to the transfer of power.... to a presumed 50 ohm antenna input, not to any radiation characteristics ! As I understood it, a half wave vertical can give me this, with a little effort. I also understood it to have a fairly high take off angle.... which will certainly give me better in-state coverage than a good low angle takeoff would..... wouldn't it? Yes, I know a proper NVIS antenna would be far better than this.... that is why I used the term "some NVIS" characteristics. TNX Ed |
Ground conductivity's effect on vertical
Ed,
It won't be suitable for NVIS, as you can see from a model. Roy Lewallen, W7EL Ed_G wrote: Very nicely put, Roy. Although I "knew" this in the recesses of memory, the refresher will stick with my memory more, now. Thanks. In my case, I am considering the use of a vertical at a new residence built on sand. Since I am not concerned about low angle radiation characteristics, the Half Wave may be something to consider..... giving me a fairly efficient vertical operation with some NVIS characteristics. Ed K7AAT |
Ground conductivity's effect on vertical
Ed_G wrote:
Richard, By "efficient" I was referring to the transfer of power.... to a presumed 50 ohm antenna input, not to any radiation characteristics ! As I understood it, a half wave vertical can give me this, with a little effort. I also understood it to have a fairly high take off angle.... which will certainly give me better in-state coverage than a good low angle takeoff would..... wouldn't it? Yes, I know a proper NVIS antenna would be far better than this.... that is why I used the term "some NVIS" characteristics. TNX Ed All the radiation from an antenna isn't concentrated at some "takeoff angle", but radiates at all angles at various amounts. That distribution is known as the "elevation pattern" and trying to replace it with a single "takeoff angle" value loses nearly all the information about how and where the antenna radiates. The half wavelength vertical radiates very little above about 60 degrees elevation angle regardless of the ground characteristics. Roy Lewallen, W7EL |
Ground conductivity's effect on vertical
"Roy Lewallen"
However, you can't compensate for this factor when the ground is poor by improving the ground system. The reason is that the reflection takes place much farther from the antenna than nearly any ground system extends. And low angle radiation, where the improvement is most needed, reflects the greatest distance away. ___________ Roy, didn't the experiments of Brown, Lewis & Epstein of RCA in ~1937 show that the h-plane field measured 3/10 mile from a vertical monopole of about 60 to 88 degrees in height, over a set of 113 buried radials each 0.41 WL, was within several percent of the theoretical maximum for the applied power as radiated by a perfect monopole over a perfect ground plane? And conductivity at the NJ test site was poor -- 4 mS/m or less. That tends to show that the fields radiated at very low elevation angles also will be close to their theoretical values when measured at this radial distance, even though ground conductivity at the antenna site is poor. The relative field (E/Emax) for radiators of these heights and propagation paths approximately equals the cosine of the elevation angle. The greatest radiated fields always will be directed in or near the horizontal plane when measured/calculated for such conditions. This also will be true for any monopole from infinitesimal to 5/8 wavelength in height, although the elevation pattern of monopoles from /4- to 5/8-WL no longer are described by the cosine function (see http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...omparison.jpg). Elevation patterns show maximum relative field centered at various elevation angles above the horizon, when those fields are measured at progressively longer radial distances from the monopole, due to the propagation loss for the surface wave over other than a perfect, flat, infinite ground for those ranges. Earth curvature and terrain diffraction add to those losses for longer surface wave paths over real earth, and for very great distances the h-plane relative fields falls to ~zero. But that pattern shape is not the pattern shape originally radiated by the monopole, it also includes the effects of the propagation environment at the range where it was measured (or calculated). If this were not true then MW broadcast stations would have essentially zero coverage area for their groundwave signals. RF |
Ground conductivity's effect on vertical
On Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:20:33 -0700, Roy Lewallen
wrote: There are two quite separate ways which ground affects a vertical antenna's performance. The first is loss due to current returning to the antenna base when the antenna is grounded, or induced in the ground under an elevated radial system. To minimize loss, you want as much of the current to flow through radial wires as you can. The power loss is I^2 * R. For a given power input, I is much lower for a half wave bottom fed vertical than a quarter wave bottom fed vertical. So the loss due to the conducted or induced current is much less, and you can get by with a much simpler ground system with the half wave vertical and still have low loss. This ground loss is usually the chief determining factor of a vertical's efficiency. The other effect of ground is that the field from the antenna reflects from it some distance from the antenna. The reflected field adds to the directly radiated field to form a net field which is different at each elevation angle. This is a major factor in determining the antenna's elevation pattern. The conductivity and permittivity (dielectric constant) of the ground affect the magnitude and phase of the the reflected field, so the pattern changes with ground quality. In general, the more conductive the ground the better the low angle radiation. However, you can't compensate for this factor when the ground is poor by improving the ground system. The reason is that the reflection takes place much farther from the antenna than nearly any ground system extends. And low angle radiation, where the improvement is most needed, reflects the greatest distance away. The only way to improve the situation is to move the antenna to a location where the ground is better, which usually isn't possible or practical. Because of the two separate effects, the overall field strength might be better or worse as the ground conductivity improves, and it might even be better at some elevation angles and worse at others. Roy Lewallen, W7EL Maybe I should change the subject line, but here goes. First of all, i am fishing for information, not challenging anyone's intelligence. I understand from books I have read, that a ground mounted vertical antenna needs many radials. IIRC, the point of diminishing returns on adding radials falls somewhere between 64-128 radials. I imagine the best radial-based ground I could have for 20 meters would be a solid copper disk with about 16 feet radius, give or take. However, I recall in the ARRL Antenna handbook, not the latest version, but one prior to this one, there is no noticeable difference between a raised ground plane antenna with 4 elements as opposed to 128. (From here, or another antenna forum, I heard for the first time that it holds true for two radials.) I am still trying to figure out why so many radials are needed on the ground and a few feet higher so few are needed. Actually, more important than the why, is how high is high enough to reduce the optimum number of radials? For example, i want to build a 20 meter vertical. I understand the best place for it is on top of a 100 foot+ tower, but somewhere in between, there has to be a place where 4 radials above ground is noticeably better than the same 4 radials on the ground. Another point I have heard in the forums, but not confirmed, is that a reduced size vertical element doesn't gain much by adding radials longer than the antenna is high. 73 for now, N4PGW Buck -- 73 for now Buck, N4PGW www.lumpuckeroo.com "Small - broadband - efficient: pick any two." |
Ground conductivity's effect on vertical
I understand from books I have read, that a ground mounted vertical
antenna needs many radials. IIRC, the point of diminishing returns on adding radials falls somewhere between 64-128 radials. I imagine the best radial-based ground I could have for 20 meters would be a solid copper disk with about 16 feet radius, give or take. However, I recall in the ARRL Antenna handbook, not the latest version, but one prior to this one, there is no noticeable difference between a raised ground plane antenna with 4 elements as opposed to 128. (From here, or another antenna forum, I heard for the first time that it holds true for two radials.) ================================================== = Instead of an approx 16 ft radius disc ,you might consider an area covered with chicken wire mesh with the antenna in its centre.If that's laid on a lawn the grass will quickly grow over it . In a few weeks time the wire mesh will no longer be visible and the lawnmower can just run over . A Butternut (vertical)antenna with a mesh ground plane compared with none gave an improvement of 1 to 2 S points on 20 ,15 and 10 m. Frank GM0CSZ / KN6WH |
Ground conductivity's effect on vertical
Richard Fry wrote:
"Roy Lewallen" However, you can't compensate for this factor when the ground is poor by improving the ground system. The reason is that the reflection takes place much farther from the antenna than nearly any ground system extends. And low angle radiation, where the improvement is most needed, reflects the greatest distance away. ___________ Roy, didn't the experiments of Brown, Lewis & Epstein of RCA in ~1937 show that the h-plane field measured 3/10 mile from a vertical monopole of about 60 to 88 degrees in height, over a set of 113 buried radials each 0.41 WL, was within several percent of the theoretical maximum for the applied power as radiated by a perfect monopole over a perfect ground plane? And conductivity at the NJ test site was poor -- 4 mS/m or less. That tends to show that the fields radiated at very low elevation angles also will be close to their theoretical values when measured at this radial distance, even though ground conductivity at the antenna site is poor. The relative field (E/Emax) for radiators of these heights and propagation paths approximately equals the cosine of the elevation angle. I believe we've discussed this before, so I'll be brief. Their calculation of the field at the receiving site when the radial system is perfect was adjusted for the effect of ground wave attenuation caused by the imperfect ground conductivity. If the ground between the antenna and receiving site were perfect, the field strength would have been greater. Also, I'm speaking of sky wave. Ground reflection isn't a factor in determining surface wave, which is what they measured and which isn't of interest to most amateurs. The greatest radiated fields always will be directed in or near the horizontal plane when measured/calculated for such conditions. This also will be true for any monopole from infinitesimal to 5/8 wavelength in height, although the elevation pattern of monopoles from /4- to 5/8-WL no longer are described by the cosine function (see http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...omparison.jpg). Elevation patterns show maximum relative field centered at various elevation angles above the horizon, when those fields are measured at progressively longer radial distances from the monopole, due to the propagation loss for the surface wave over other than a perfect, flat, infinite ground for those ranges. Earth curvature and terrain diffraction add to those losses for longer surface wave paths over real earth, and for very great distances the h-plane relative fields falls to ~zero. As I thought you were aware, the surface wave propagates considerably differently than the sky wave. But that pattern shape is not the pattern shape originally radiated by the monopole, it also includes the effects of the propagation environment at the range where it was measured (or calculated). If this were not true then MW broadcast stations would have essentially zero coverage area for their groundwave signals. It would be a mistake to design HF antenna systems based on optimizing surface wave propagation as AM broadcasters do, unless you desire communication for distances not exceeding a few miles. Roy Lewallen, W7EL |
Ground conductivity's effect on vertical
Buck wrote:
Maybe I should change the subject line, but here goes. First of all, i am fishing for information, not challenging anyone's intelligence. I understand from books I have read, that a ground mounted vertical antenna needs many radials. IIRC, the point of diminishing returns on adding radials falls somewhere between 64-128 radials. I imagine the best radial-based ground I could have for 20 meters would be a solid copper disk with about 16 feet radius, give or take. However, I recall in the ARRL Antenna handbook, not the latest version, but one prior to this one, there is no noticeable difference between a raised ground plane antenna with 4 elements as opposed to 128. (From here, or another antenna forum, I heard for the first time that it holds true for two radials.) When a ground system is a long distance above ground, only two radials are needed for high efficiency and a circular pattern at zero elevation angle. The pattern does become non-circular at higher angles, which can be prevented by adding two more radials. A ground system which is above but close to the ground requires fewer radials for good efficiency than one with radials which are buried or much closer to the ground. I am still trying to figure out why so many radials are needed on the ground and a few feet higher so few are needed. The ground is very lossy. When the radial system is on or in the ground, current flowing to the radials is forced to flow through the lossy ground. Actually, more important than the why, is how high is high enough to reduce the optimum number of radials? For example, i want to build a 20 meter vertical. I understand the best place for it is on top of a 100 foot+ tower, but somewhere in between, there has to be a place where 4 radials above ground is noticeably better than the same 4 radials on the ground. That's a good question without a single good answer. It depends at least on the ground conductivity and permittivity (down to a considerable depth), frequency, and radial length. Modeling can give you a good idea of the tradeoffs, although the very simple minded ground model might not be adequate to make a very accurate comparison. Another point I have heard in the forums, but not confirmed, is that a reduced size vertical element doesn't gain much by adding radials longer than the antenna is high. I don't believe that's true. I'll gladly consider any supporting evidence. Hearing something on forums is among the worst justification for believing it, in my opinion. Roy Lewallen, W7EL |
Ground conductivity's effect on vertical
On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:26:26 +0100, Highland Ham
wrote: ================================================= == Instead of an approx 16 ft radius disc ,you might consider an area covered with chicken wire mesh with the antenna in its centre.If that's laid on a lawn the grass will quickly grow over it . In a few weeks time the wire mesh will no longer be visible and the lawnmower can just run over . Thanks, Frank, but the example was for illustrative purposes only. I'd hate to think of the cost of that solid sheet of copper hihi. -- 73 for now Buck, N4PGW www.lumpuckeroo.com "Small - broadband - efficient: pick any two." |
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