Subject: Re: Hustler 6BVT Vertical and Radials
From: Bruce Muscolino (w6toy@erols.com)
Date: Wed Feb 25 2004 - 10:22:54 EST
Doctor Megacycle and the gang, Let me relate a learning experience that goes back about 26 or so years. In 1978 I was assigned to a three year position in Amsterdam, Holland; it was to be living on the economy. Not having any antennas that would make the trip, I decided to purchase an antenna over there. Fortunately on a visit about one month before I was scheduled to depart sunny southern California, I met a returning field engineer who was returning. A deal was struck and I became the proud owner of a HyGaib 14BTV three band vertical. The sales price was $20.00. The 14BTV has similar ground requirements to all other quarter wave verticals. The Netherlands has some unique ground characteristic that may be of interest to this discussion. The Netherlands is one of the "Low Countries". Its land area, especially on the west coast, is largely reclaimed from the ocean (the shallow part). Landowners pay a special annual tax to keep the water level pumped out below their property. My house was one of these, and I was familiar with the water pumping before I installed the antenna. The water level was kept pumped down to 1 to 3 meters below the surface. Accordingly, I reasoned, with that proximity to brackish water, I could get along without radials! I installed the antenna on a piece of scrap pipe about 5 feet long. To be sort of safe I installed four, five foot solid copper grounds near the base. I connected the feed line, hastily thrown out of an upstairs window, ran up to the shack and turned on the rig. Presto, 14.010, SWR 1.00:1, 14.050 SWR 1:1, 14,150 SWR 1:1; hmmm, maybe there is a problem here, let's try 15. 21.05, 21.1, 21.2, SWR all 1:1. 28.1, 28.5, 29.0. SWR identical. What was going on here. I knew everything was good, I had seen the antenna work before it was taken down. I had brought the coax from California. I was sure my installation was food. I consulted with my mentor, WA6IVC, Bruce Williams. He heard the problem description and congratulated me on making a dummy load. Chuckling at the plight of one of his field engineers, he suggested adding four resonant radials per band. I explained away theory as to why radials weren't necessary. He said try them on one band and if they don't make out a real antenna there he would sponsor a free Dutch dinner on his next visit. Needless to say the addition of radials made all the difference. I installed four per band, spaced about equally around the base, just laying in the surface. I made about 5000 QSO's with the antenna over the next two years. All states, DXCC, and most of WAE. I think I got my money's worth. I learned an important lesson about ground that day. It is one I preach to this day. If you want good antenna performance, check your ground! Bruce
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