So how many radials, minimum, does someone need to put down on a ground mounted BTV-4 before they will notice a real difference in the performance? I currently have around 6 or 8 random length radials which I know is not enough.

I currently have an Icom IC735 rig and am considering getting and Icom IC718 to replace it. The 735 works well but I am wondering if there are any real benefits to getting the 718 as it is an equal rig just newer technology.

I need to get a 8 pin mic connector for an Icom IC 735. I bought one from Radio Shack and it broke so I would like to find a better connector. I would also like to get the end that is on the radio as I would like to make a switching box to go between the mic and the PSK 31 inputs.
73's
Kyle
KC6LSA

I haven't made the cable that will trigger the transmit yet. I just manually transmit by pushing the xmit button on the radio. I also have tried adjusting the RF power and still no output.
I checked the cable and there no opens and the resistance checks ok.
I am not using USB either. I have the cables going the the Mic and Speaker jacks on the soundcard. Would a ground loop cause it to not work?
Kyle

I am trying to set up my Icom IC-735 for PSK 31 and can't seem to get any output power when I transmit. I am using Digipan and I made the interface cables as they are picured in the software. I can rec OK but not transmit. I have messed the the levels for the sound card without any luck. Is it possible that the output was reduced to far with the resistors they told me to use for the mic input cable? Any help would be great.
73's
Kyle
KC6SLA

Thanks for the help. Looks like I am just going to lay the radials along the ground and use 2 1/2" fencing nails to hold them in place. Did a test and that seems to hold them down. I even mowed over my test radial and didn't chew it up.
As for aeriation, I guess I will just skip doing it and pull up the radials if I feel I need to aeriate the lawn.
73's
Kyle

I bought a Hustler 4BTV at a flea market and was looking for a good way to install the radials (the antenna will be ground mounted, roof top is not and option). I thought about putting them on the ground and staking them down. I like to aeriate my lawn though and figured the first time I do I will turn all my radials into sliced up wire.
I am looking for ideas on how to put the under ground (short of getting a sod cutter). I would like to put down around 30 radials ( I hope that will be enough). Any ideas would be great.
73's