Can't Put in Radials--Now What? (

Philip, K5HIM, is wanting an antenna in his yard, but is having a issue with it having radials in his grass. He doesn't want to replace radials too often because he has to dethatch and cut his grass. Watch to learn more about how he can solve this problem and different options he may have.
Edited and Videographed by Aidan Jakeman
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[@dandypoint]

The antenna needs a complete circuit like all circuits. Current must always return to the source. AC, DC or RF. Whatever amount of current that leaves the transmitter by way of the center conductor of the coax must return to the transmitter ( source) somehow. That can be through the other half of the antenna, through the radials in the case of a quarter wave antenna or through some sort of counterpoise. All antennas must have provisions for collecting this return current or either the antenna will not work or some stray path or paths will be found for the return currents. Sometimes the outside of the coax shield will be the counterpoise either by design or by lack of design!

[@oasntet]

Seems like the HOA is going to have problems with anything that looks like an antenna, so having counterpoises coming off a vertical mounted to a flagpole is probably verboten, too. I think the most likely answer here is a flagpole and buried radials; dig up narrow strips of sod to lay the radials under, dig the radials down a couple extra inches, then immediately lay the sod back on top to hide them. They may even work better for being underground, depending on your soil type.

[@BBaldwin]

The Comet 250HD is a good option in a situation like this-IF one can’t run an EFHW wire.

[@erpece]

1/2 wave verticals work pretty well without radials, but they are of course taller than a 1/4 wave. Wire antennas like EFHW, a random wire or a long wire don't need radials either... And you can bend them in almost any shape, as long as you avoid sharp corners less than 90 degrees... I once had a random wire antenna shaped into a short-of circular loop with a diameter of 6m. Obviously a comprised antenna, but it performed surprisingly well on 40 through 10 with an external tuner.

[@StreakyP]

There is a cheap radial-less vertical antenna for 10/15/20... See the gqrp fan dipole using ribbon feeder.. that is short enough to be run vertically up a 10m fibreglass fishing pole... No radials needed as it is balanced... Just run your coax elevated to the middle (and this will keep you co-ax clear of the gardeners too). I'm also in discussion with some auto-atu manufacturers to see if they could do a weather proof balanced variant of their box as clagging one of these on the middle should bring in everything 10 to 40.

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you, Dave. N0QFT

[@larryfields2652]

I recall a balcony antenna which hung out on a railing

[@tomshannon3921]

Possibly the mfj model 1622,no longer made now.

[@nealbeach4947]

I used a 4btv that was leaning against a choke cherry tree on a four foot pole for about a year. It worked quit well.

[@timbacchus]

Just a question how come you never mention Ham Radio Outlet? Is there something wrong with them?

[@bebeandjohnnotsonomadiclif5287]

Much better places to get gear from.