Ground mounting a Cushcraft R6000 vertical ?

[GM1ZVJ]

  Now after   installing the Carolina Windom 80s at my home I am now looking at installing my Cushcraft R6000 HF vertical,   if I was to mount this vertical on a short length off pole at ground level would I  loose much performance in the real world as opposed to it being mounted say 25 feet up and on top off the roof off my house ?

wonder what would be the recommended minimum height for ground mounting bearing in mind its built in radials ?

regards,
john - gm1zvj

[WB2WIK]

These two instructions are part of the R6000 manual supplied with the antenna:

• Horizontally space your antenna sixty-six (66) feet from any surrounding metal.
• When considering height above ground, achieving "line of sight" is most desirable for optimal performance. It is recommended that you
achieve line of sight and be at least ten (10) feet above ground.

So, they're recommending at least 10 feet above ground, and 66 feet from anything alongside it that is conductive.

[W9GB]

John -

The counterpoises wires (seven) on the Cushcraft R-series verticals exhibit HV (at ends), when transmitting.  
This is one reason the instructions advise placing yellow warning stickers on at least 2 counterpoises wires.  It is also why you see the small balls (as well as eye safety) at end of these wires.

At 10 feet (or higher), this keeps the bottom of antenna away from pedestrians.

[K3VAT]

... I am now looking at installing my Cushcraft R6000 HF vertical,   if I was to mount this vertical on a short length off pole at ground level would I  loose much performance in the real world as opposed to it being mounted say 25 feet up and on top off the roof off my house ? ... regards, john - gm1zvj

John,
Both W9GB and WB2WIK have supplied you with the correct recommendations.  Mounting this antenna anywhere near the earth (<3 metres) would substantially sacrifice performance.  Losses due to proximity to earth would compromise the design.  On the other hand, this IS an antenna that is suited for roof mount and the higher the better is usually a good rule of thumb.  GL, 73, Rich, K3VAT

[GM1ZVJ]

Thanks so much for the kind advice guys, looks like  there is only one place to mount it and thats at the very top off the mast !!

[KG6YV]

My R6000 is mounted on a mast along side my chimney.  The base of the antenna is around 20 ft. and the counterpoise is about 6 ft. above the metal shroud on the top of the chimney.  SWR is fine, persormance is good.  If I move it down closer to the chimney top, things get "squirely" so I leave it 6 ft. above the chimney.... When I tuned the antenna 6ft. off the ground in the yard the tuning parameters were mildy different.  I would get it as high as possible....

Greg