Hello Richard:
Well, of course, the more wire you can put on the ground the better.
I have about 500 feet of wire with the radials ranging in length from 12 
feet to 170 feet long.
None of them are of any electrical wave length.
They are all of randum lengths.
No, I don't think that it is particularly hard to tune.
Start with the suggested settings by the manufacturer and from there, you 
could use an antenna analizer.
I just use my LDG TW1 SWR bridge.
I also have added the 160 MTR coil to mine and have good results.
I do have an amp running about 1100 watts when needed.
On 75 MTR a couple of years ago, I worked a JA with a 100 watts on SSB.
Not bad, would you say?
Yes, the antenna is ground mounted as you guessed.
If you have more questions, just ask me!
73
Lowell  W8QIY
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Fiorello" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 9:52 AM
Subject: Re: antenna info


> Hi;
> Although I could change my mind tomorrow, if I ground mount something the
> butternut is probably at the top of my list.  Curious how many radials you
> put down approximately.  I have also heard it can be a bear to tune.
> Richard
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Lowell Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 1:10 PM
> Subject: Re: antenna info
>
>
> Don't over look the Butternut 80 through 6 MTR vertical!
> I have been using one for over 7 years and have put down radials in the
> grass of the lawn.
> I have worked the world with it and have even added the 160 MTR kit to it
> and it works well also.
> It is self-supporting having been in some pretty strong winds with no
> problems.
> There you are for what it is worth.
> Best 73.
> Lowell  W8QIY
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Richard Fiorello" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 3:34 PM
> Subject: antenna info
>
>
>> Hi Everyone;
>> I have spent the winter antenna browsing and I know less now than I did
>> before.  At any rate,  I was initially looking for an hf vertical 
>> covering
>> at least 40 through 10 (75 would be nice) that was a vertical dipole and
>> didn't therefore require radials.
>> I have eliminated the r8 (been through two al ready.  I also decided that
>> because I had an amplifier that I was going to try and use I was going to
>> stay away from the gap.  Took a look at force 12 and decided I wasn't
>> going
>> that route either.  Anyone know of any exciting options that are durable
>> and
>> really work?
>> The second option was to go with something ground mounted and bite the
>> bullet and put down radials.  I wanted self supporting though.  My 
>> initial
>> thought was the steppir but its rather tall and I suspect not really all
>> that self supporting.  The price was as much as a ts480 which was also a
>> consideration.
>> The other option is a "simple" g5rv but I need a 30 foot support for the
>> center.  Unfortunately there isn't a convenient tree.
>> We have had lots of wind the last few years and I don't really really 
>> want
>> to worry about the thing coming down in the neighbors lawn.  I think we
>> had
>> about three wind storms that might have killed my r8.
>> Its much cheaper to ask for suggestions prior to spending money.
>> Richard
>> [log in to unmask]
>>