Install Radials Easy - Build a Ground Slicer
Incomplete Analysis
Then, there are the hams who criticize verticals, based on their own experience with an incomplete system. If they had completed their installation, they would probably have learned that a vertical antenna, with a good network of wires radiating outward, can be an effective system. Bear in mind that a vertical antenna performs differently than one that is horizontally polarized. Not necessarily worse, just differently. Because of its nature, much of the radiated signal goes in directions other than desired for a contact. This can be a drawback. But add in the verticals rather small size and unobtrusive appearance, ease of installation, multi-banded nature (on some commercial models) and, best of all, low angle of radiation, and you can have quite a bargain.
Radial System Described
Ideally, a radial system should consist of a number of wires stretching outward from the mast on which the vertical antenna is mounted. Because of the de-tuning effect of the ground on the wires, it is pointless to try to resonate them, but half a wavelength is considered optimum. However, not many Hams can install enough radial wires to gain the maximum efficiency, about 120, therefore it is suggested to run as many wires as possible.
If you can’t fit long enough wires into your backyard, do the best you can. Here, for once, things work in our favor. The less radials you have, the shorter they can be, without much harm. At least fifteen is recommended and more if you can fit them in. Again, radials should be as long as possible, in the greatest number possible, for maximum efficiency.
The Hard Work
If you have the luxury of having a piece of land dedicated to an antenna farm and nothing else, the radials can be stretched out on the surface of the earth. As time progresses, they will be covered by grass and thatch and will not pose a hazard to walking. If this is not acceptable, they must be buried slightly underground, which probably accounts for the high number of incomplete (or unstarted) radial systems in Harmdom. The normal procedure for burying radials is to try to cut the ground open with the end of a spade and force the wires in. This seemed like a lot of work to me.
Need a Tool
After considering the problem of installing radial wires, it seemed that a tool for making a continuous cut would be in order. Then, the wire could merely be uncoiled into the slit and the earth tamped back together. Unfortunately, I couldn’t think of such a tool, so l had to invent one. That wasn’t too hard, after considering that I would prefer to pull something rather than push it.
Easier to Pull
I fabricated the device shown in Figure 1, which looks more or less like a capital “I”. As it is pulled, a blade cuts the ground to a sufficient depth. Weighing it down so the blade entered the earth instead of bouncing around on top was simple, too. My son just steps on and off as we go. At about forty-five pounds, he is just about right. He likes it and it gets him involved in the hobby, as well. An added advantage is that at the end of a run, my weight gets off and walks back to the starting point!
Blade Design
I spent more time in trying to decide on a blade configuration than I did for the rest of the project. I had great reservations about using something sticking out like a shark’s tooth for fear it would maim anybody coming in contact with it. At last, I got the idea of sharpening the edge of a piece of flat steel stock, and pivoting it up and out of the way when the tool was not being used. (See Figures 2 and 3).
I have found that the Ground Slitter works well in most types of soil, provided it is not sun-hardened. Two Hams and a boy can install quite an extensive system in a morning, whereas it probably would never have gotten done the old way.
Good Club Project
Obviously, handy as it is, this is not a tool that you will use every day, so it is a particularly good club project. It is inexpensive, it saves an incredible amount of time, and it may very well provide you or one of your friends the motivation to go out and complete the radial system that was started way back when. Believe me, it will be worth the effort.
Originally posted on the AntennaX Online Magazine by John K. Somers, KC3YB
Last Updated : 23rd April 2024