misfit138
Member
Just as the title asks.
30 years ago as a kid I had a few Shakespeare "Big sticks" as well as an A-99 with a ground plane kit for CB tranceiving.
One of the HAMs in my area strongly admonished me on the importance of grounding my antenna.
I took his advice, and as I had schooling in the electrical trade, I used some 2/0 cable available to me and I believe about 6 copper clad 8 foot rods.
I connected the antenna base end of the cable to one of the U bolts.
This, I was told, was a good start, but if I wanted to achieve perfection, I would need 15 to 120 ground radials (not elevated radials) at the base of the mast.
Needless to say, I did not go that far.
So to come back around to my question..
Since the elevated radials on a ground plane antenna are cut to, say 1/4 wave, and connect to the coax shield, is there not also conductivity between them, the mounting base, the U bolts, and conductive mast?
If so, then why must they be 1/4 wave? Does not the extra length and capacitance of the mast, ground cable and earth disrupt their length, and therefore, the SWR?
In fact, without even connecting a grounded conductor to the elevated radials, does not the very existence of the conductive mast (which may very well be coming out of the ground) disrupt the performance of these antenna? If not, why not?
I'd appreciate the insight of you guys, if any.
Sent from my phone.
30 years ago as a kid I had a few Shakespeare "Big sticks" as well as an A-99 with a ground plane kit for CB tranceiving.
One of the HAMs in my area strongly admonished me on the importance of grounding my antenna.
I took his advice, and as I had schooling in the electrical trade, I used some 2/0 cable available to me and I believe about 6 copper clad 8 foot rods.
I connected the antenna base end of the cable to one of the U bolts.
This, I was told, was a good start, but if I wanted to achieve perfection, I would need 15 to 120 ground radials (not elevated radials) at the base of the mast.
Needless to say, I did not go that far.
So to come back around to my question..
Since the elevated radials on a ground plane antenna are cut to, say 1/4 wave, and connect to the coax shield, is there not also conductivity between them, the mounting base, the U bolts, and conductive mast?
If so, then why must they be 1/4 wave? Does not the extra length and capacitance of the mast, ground cable and earth disrupt their length, and therefore, the SWR?
In fact, without even connecting a grounded conductor to the elevated radials, does not the very existence of the conductive mast (which may very well be coming out of the ground) disrupt the performance of these antenna? If not, why not?
I'd appreciate the insight of you guys, if any.
Sent from my phone.