The AM Forum

Has anyone here used a folded counterpoise on their low band inverted L in lieu of a raised radial system.

I'm curious as to how well they work vs 8-12 1/4wl or 1/8wl elevated (10')  radials which will be my max if I go the radial route.

http://www.w0uce.net/K2AVantennas.html

If you search on the TopBand Archives you will find numerous posts on the Folded Counterpoise, or FCP. 

http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/Topband/

Discussions were, at times, heated.   It appears that, especially for people handicapped by small lots, they made the difference between working 160 and having fun, or not.  I don't recall any reports of rigorous comparisons of the FCP versus 120 radials, with field strength measurements.   It doesn't amount to much money to build one up, and you can work off a step ladder to install one.  It's worth a try, especially if you don't have 15,000 feet of wire and space to bury it.

http://www.w8ji.com/fcp_folded_counterpoise_system.htm

Here is a preliminary analysis by Tom W8JI.  Tom is a dedicated 160m operator and engineer.

My comment:  A folded counterpoise/radial is essentially a linearly loaded radial.  You could achieve the same thing with loading coils and use a lot less wire.  Your choice.  The key is making the radial resonant.

From table 1 in K2AV's NCJ article

[http://www.w0uce.net/Olinger_FCP_article_as_published_in_NCJ.pdf]

it looks like 4 elevated 1/8wl radials outperform the FCP. That would certianly be a more economical way to go for me since I have the space & already have the wire.

Question is: how high do the elevated radials have to be on 160? 

8', 10'- higher?

 

N6LF's article in QEX,  regarding Elevated Radials on Low-Band antennas ...  IIRC,  this/these articles had extensive Field Strength test data:
http://www.antennasbyn6lf.com/2012/02/elevated-radial-ground-systems-some-cautions.html

   FWIW.   Vic