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Old 04-05-2016, 08:39 PM   #1
ke0me
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Ft. Collins, CO (mail forwarding)
Posts: 303
Default counterpoise vs ground radial discussion

From previous posts, we had lots of discussion about how to mount various mobile/rv vertical antennas, typically 1/4 wave verticals (usually using loading coils to compensate for short length). I am interested in this due to working with my new Tarheel antenna on my fifth wheel.

Assuming the following definitions:

Counterpoise -a counterpoise is a network of SUSPENDED wires or cables (or a metal screen), used as a SUBSTITUTE for an earth (ground) connection in a radio antenna system. It is used with radio transmitters or receivers when a normal earth ground cannot be used because of high soil resistance or other reasons. It usually consists of a single wire or network of horizontal wires, parallel to the ground, suspended above the ground under the antenna, connected to the receiver or transmitter's "ground" wire. The counterpoise functions as one plate of a large capacitor, with the conductive layers of the earth acting as the other plate. (thanks to Wikipedia, capitals are mine)


Ground Radial - grounding wires to be buried in the soil in a radial pattern, in order to have a proper ground plane for the vertical radiator element. Obviously, this has a DIRECT EARTH GROUND CONTACT.

So, any mounting ON a vehicle would have to be considered a counterpoise since it is not connected to earth ground.

Therefore, is it correct to assume that I would NOT CONNECT the ground lug of the tarheel antenna mount to an earth ground connection? I would connect to the RV chassis to make the chassis part of the counterpoise.

Also, I assume after proper bonding of almost everything that is metallic to the chassis, I might have a reasonable counterpoise.

Comments please!!
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currently don't own an RV
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