Mike,

You and I have chatted a few times on both 20 and 40 meters, and your 
antenna certainly does work.     I'm sure we will hear each other this 
winter on 75/80 meters.

As for number of radials:  I know there is a theoretical number where 
adding more gives no appreciable improvement, but i don't think 25 is 
it.  Some are good, more is better.   Of course there are reasons of 
practicality  as to how many  you can put out on a given lot, but if it 
is to be the main antenna for the station,  the more the better.

73, Steve KW3A

On 7/2/2014 10:02 AM, Michael Ryan wrote:
> I have my antenna in an area at the back of the cottage and its off limits to everyone except my XYL and I.
> There's just enough of the property to put down the 25 radials, not sure If I'll try and squeeze in more as I'm very pleased with the performance of my vertical thus far.
> I think that if you can, site selection is important as you don't want your antenna on your front lawn, out of site, out of mind.
> I re_planted my radials May 24 weekend and they're just about covered. I dunno how many on this list have heard me but I think Steve KW3A can vouch for my signal and I can pretty much work any VK or JA in the morning on 40M during the winter months and am doing pretty well on 40M this time of year.
> Can pretty much work North and South America as far south as LU and CE. Pretty nice halls from VO1 land. On 80M my vertical is a little better than the Carolina Windom I had at 45 feet but that's where the compromise is because my antenna isn't exactly a quarter wave on 160/80, far from it but like I said, it does a little better than my windom did, so that's the plus for me.
> An absolute flame thrower on 40/10M, again the plus point. Total cost from order to my antenna put up with the 25 radials, 650CAN. I probably would have spent at least that much to buy a suitable 2ND hand tower and concrete.
> So again, verticals are loved and hated. You got to ask your self am I getting what I want with regard to performance and an increased DX count out of it and I am.
>
>
> 73:
> Michael VO1AX
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