I'm in the planning phase of building a 1/4-wave 40M end-fed vertical antenna. Since I have a surplus of galvanized WWM fencing material (rolls of 5' high, with 2"x4" squares), I was thinking of laying that out around the base to act as the ground radials. The side lengths would be intermittently brazed to achieve continuity. The WWM would also be brazed to a ring of copper tubing at the base, with the copper ultimately connected to the coax shield.
My concern is that the galvanized steel mesh presents greater resistance than would copper wire radials. At the same time though, I could lay down a lot of metal on my ground plane at no cost.
What are your thoughts or experiences regarding steel radials for vertical antennas?
My concern is that the galvanized steel mesh presents greater resistance than would copper wire radials. At the same time though, I could lay down a lot of metal on my ground plane at no cost.
What are your thoughts or experiences regarding steel radials for vertical antennas?