"news" wrote in message
...
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:

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


Whatever you can get cheaply, as you need a lot.

Insulated is fine- the soil (rf) conductivity is poor (or you'd not need
radials) so the benefit from have bare wire is minimal. Insulated will stop
it corroding.

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


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

Bring them to a 'star point' which is your earth point and it should have a
normal earth stake. Make sure this is bonded to you PME point for safety by
10mm^2 wire.

If you solder, use ordinary multicore solder.


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

Self amalgamating tape or use conduit boxes and 'pot' with epoxy.


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

Depends- this is as much to do with what the land is used for. In the past
I've used a spade to make a shallow 'slit', maybe 2" deep, in the lawn and
pushed wires into that.

In a flower bed or vegetable patch that wouldn't be deep enough.

Don't forget patios. Our patios have radials under them. Also, you can run
wires around the bottom of fences etc, by paths.

6. Is there anything else I should know?

Don't forget that safety bonding!


--
Brian Reay
www.g8osn.org.uk
www.amateurradiotraining.org.uk
FP#898