I've used the AH-4 with several Icom rigs and about 80 feet of wire as an antenna on many occasions. Each time the AH-4 antenna worked quite well. However, I did use about 6 or 8 20 foot radials (more would be better) and not a single ground rod.
Regarding sodium and mercury vapor lamps. They are generally fine UNTIL they begin to go bad. These lamps have a slow and agonizing death ---- slow for them and agonizing for any ham operating HF near them. I live in a relatively quiet RF neighborhood for many years. My neighbor installed sodium vapor flood lights and they were fine. However, as they approached retirement they would go through a cycle of light, flickering, off, then on again. The timing of this cycle was identical to and coincided with the S9 noise generated on every ham band. When the lamps finally died the noise went away. When they were replaced about 4 or 5 years ago there was no noise. However, one lamp is beginning to go and I can see the noise pop up on my Flex 5000 panscope and disappear consistent with its "cycle".
Harry WE1X
I wonder if these are actually Metal Halide lights. They are somewhat yellow like a sodium (but whiter) but have about 1/2 the life expectancy. They are somewhat less efficient and usually are higher wattage to make up for it too. They also use a different ballast type.
