Saltwater Effect and Vertical Antenna Setup

[@donnakano3697]

I used to park my mobile next to the water on a dock and grow a metal plate tied to my antenna ground with braid into the Pacific Ocean. Say what you will, but it made a difference for me.

[@johnsonstechworld]

I heard a nice signal from AB2O recently on 20m CW. The only station from US I could hear after coming back on HF this January after a long gap. I thought of salt water effect then. But could not reach him with my '100W and wire' in spite of trying for half an hour. 73 de Jon, VU2JO.

[@richie4540]

It would be interesting to see what happens with just one ground radial into the water.

[@hamradioportable1630]

I have seen others do that. I know my setup works well over regular ground. Works 10x better against the saltwater. Just need to be close. When the tide washes up on my radials my reflected power / swr goes up. Keep an eye on that. Thanks for watching. Steve Ad4xt

[@KX4UL]

Nice contacts Steve! Looks like a fun time setting up on the beach. Now that I am back in Florida, I'll give it a try. 73!

[@hamradioportable1630]

You will enjoy.

[@KC5TGTRadiosNMore]

Looks like something fun to try someday. Thanks for sharing.

[@magnetus26]

nicely done can you tell me a bit more about your wagon? specifically the top board. looks really interesting 73 de KP4MI

[@hamradioportable1630]

I have a video on the wagon here on the channel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYLZY6Z5hruob6c The top is a small table that fits into the wagon. I just use it as a table top with a small beach chair. Seems to work for me. Steve - Ad4xt

[@LinnKeller]

This calls for experimentation ... there's not much salt water here in northern Ohio, but groundwater does contain enough natural minerals to be conductive to a degree. Methinks it's time for field testing!

[@hamradioportable1630]

Hey, you never know. At least you will be out at a nice portable location. Put out as many ground radials as you can. Good luck. Steve - Ad4xt