"Dave Shrader" wrote in message
news:Iihkc.957$NI6.193027@attbi_s01...
Ron wrote:

Hustler says the 6BTV will work OK without radials as long as the
ground is not dry. The salesman said so also. So I bought it.

You were oversold! It really needs a radial system for decent
operation. It will work ... but ...

I agree ... I have a 5BTV and it worked well with radials (I only had 2
each, temporary, cut to 1/4 wave at each band, but I pulled them up when I
ran the coax in an underground PVC conduit, rather than just laying on the
ground and haven't put radials back yet - and it doesn't work worth a damn.)

I intend to mow the grass VERY short and place a significant (64 or so
radials of 1/4 wave at 40m) in place with wire "staples" made from coat
hanger wire, and then let the grass grow over them (the "staples will keep
the radials down until the grass grows over them, eliminating the problem of
the mower snagging them).

From my experience, ground mount works well - as long as you have a radial
system (more is better, but even a pair per band helps a LOT).

73,
Carl - wk3c