The AM Forum

I'm putting up a inverted V dipole at my home. The center will be at 40' sloping down to 8' at the ends. My problem is that one leg will pass over a concrete parking area. My question is, how will the concrete affect the antenna performance?  ???

Mike

Concrete is simply an insulating (non-conductive) material sitting on top of ground, I think it will be very minimal.  Just make sure it's high enough that vehicles can't take it down.

Concrete is not an insulator.

Try grabbing a 120 vac leg while standing barefoot on that wonderful insulator.

Hopefully you'll still be alive to report back on your findings.

Search UFER  grounding for more info.

Bad piece if information here.

--Shane
KD6VXI

detailed info here: http://www.iotpe.com/IJTPE/IJTPE-2013/IJTPE-Issue16-Vol5-No3-Sep2013/14-IJTPE-Issue16-Vol5-No3-Sep2013-pp96-101.pdf

Unless the area covered by the concrete is exceptionally large, the effect will be just about zero. In other words, don't worry about it.

I agree with Steve.  The effective result will be minimal.  There could be steel re rod inside the concrete.
However, from experience this had a zilch effect on my antennas.

73,
Chuck

I might only be a problem if you park a tall truck in the parking area.

I stand corrected then... it's not an insulator... hmmm... well... at least the idea of it not being very significant to a dipole above it holds.

Thanks guys! I was afraid that the antenna performance was really going to be compromised. So now, it's full speed ahead.

Mike

What bands are you trying to use?
Inverted Vees are very good antennas for those who cannot have a true flat top dipole.
Are you planning to use a remote tuner? or are you going to find a sweet spot?
Fred

Hi Fred,

80-15 meters with a tuner.

Mike