Well, for the one I'm building it is designed to have the round radials so
I'm doing my best to follow the builder's plans.

Jeremy, Just follow the builders plans. You have not provided enough
information to really get any informed help on the group. Not sure about
"round radials".
Good luck on your project, I would like to know how it turns out.
73 Gary N4AST

My mistake, I should've included the url for said plans.

http://members.aol.com/k5oejerry/vhf_vert.htm

The reason I'm wanting to go with the steel is for durability versus the
builder's 10 gauge copper wire. I seem to enjoy taking a simple design and
making it more 'pretty' for lack of a better term.

Jeremy
KC5TEK

Jeremy Becnel wrote:

My mistake, I should've included the url for said plans.

http://members.aol.com/k5oejerry/vhf_vert.htm

The reason I'm wanting to go with the steel is for durability versus the
builder's 10 gauge copper wire. I seem to enjoy taking a simple design and
making it more 'pretty' for lack of a better term.

Jeremy
KC5TEK

The requirement for the radials in the case shown at
the URL is because the antenna is elevated and
designed for hitting satellites. For normal low angle radiation a simple
magmount using the vehicle body as a groundplane would work.
--
--------------------------------------
Diagnosed Type II Diabetes March 5 2001
Beating it with diet and exercise!
297/215/210 (to be revised lower)
58"/43"(!)/44" (already lower too!)
--------------------------------------
Visit my HomePage at http://members.shaw.ca/finkirv/
Visit my Baby Sofia website at http://members.shaw.ca/finkirv4/
Visit my OLDTIMERS website at http://members.shaw.ca/finkirv5/
--------------------
Irv Finkleman,
Grampa/Ex-Navy/Old Fart/Ham Radio VE6BP
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

I am trying to build this to work sats, ISS packet, mostly.

I've already got a good 5/8th wave on the back end of the truck for normal
use, I want this jobber for when I feel the need for spaceborne stations.

Jeremy Becnel wrote:

I am trying to build this to work sats, ISS packet, mostly.

I've already got a good 5/8th wave on the back end of the truck for normal
use, I want this jobber for when I feel the need for spaceborne stations.

Then this is the one you want.
--
--------------------------------------
Diagnosed Type II Diabetes March 5 2001
Beating it with diet and exercise!
297/215/210 (to be revised lower)
58"/43"(!)/44" (already lower too!)
--------------------------------------
Visit my HomePage at http://members.shaw.ca/finkirv/
Visit my Baby Sofia website at http://members.shaw.ca/finkirv4/
Visit my OLDTIMERS website at http://members.shaw.ca/finkirv5/
--------------------
Irv Finkleman,
Grampa/Ex-Navy/Old Fart/Ham Radio VE6BP
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Jeremy,
The 'radials' aren't really necessary if you mount the
antenna directly to the vehicle's body (metal car body is
the ground). The whole point of the antenna at the URL
is that he didn't want to drill any holes in his vehicle.
If that bothers you too, then follow the directions.
The rods you have will probably work as well as anything
else you can find. The difference in conductivity between
your rods and copper just isn't worth worrying about. The
difference in durability ~is~ worth worrying about!
Have fun...
'Doc

Just what I wanted to hear.

I'll hit the hardware store tomorrow to pick up the last few things I need.