Print

[VK3KTT]

if i can only get one wire in one direction for 2-3m but can add 3-5 wires to that one wire will it help my radial field as much as 5 radials coming straight off the radial plate.

[W7XTV]

Are you talking about on/in-ground radials or elevated?  5 on/in-ground radials at any length won't be anywhere near enough.  32 is the minimum you really should have, preferably at 1/4 wavelength at the lowest frequency, but they can be shorter if you don't have the room. 

Many sources (especially older ones) say that 120 on/in-ground radials is mandatory, but that's for Ancient Modulation broadcast use, and used to be an FCC requirement.  The difference between 120 and 32 for ham purposes isn't all that much -- about 1.5 dB improvement at low angles for the same radial length.  If you can afford the copper, do it, but it's not a killer.

5 elevated radials should be one 1/4 wavelength each per band.  In my case I have one each for 40, 30, 20, 17, and 12 (the 40 meter radial is 3/4 wl on 15 and the 30 meter radial is roughly 3/4 wl on 10).  Two per band are preferred, but I use one each and have no issues.

[VK3KTT]

sorry i should have been clearer that is only in one direction i have p3-5 going in each other direction of the compass so approx. 20 radials 1/4 wave length on the ground or under I understand the benefits of more radials and have seen my swr change as more radials were added to my previous version on my 160m inv L ( the top was 40ft) i have 25 dxcc confirmed on 160m  i even got to European Russia near the black sea  from vk3. my concern is how the radials will be treated when they start as single and fan out on one side. i know it wont be perfect but looking for clues to its performance.

[VR2AX]

Go for it, more wire in the radial system can't of itself have a negative effect. Whatever obstruction exists in that 2-3m zone (not uncommon!) is more likely to impact the performance of the antenna in a particular direction.

Note: the well known W1BB design for the inverted L does not suggest that radials in every direction are required (https://www.amateurradio.com/tag/stew-perry/ ). Possibly, ground wave optimised designs such as for MW broadcast could have different criteria, but that isn't necessarily what 160 dx prefers.