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Message |
    
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 5037
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 6:42 am: | 
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The GRK-8 radial kit from Copper allows you to install up to 8 radials on any vertical antenna. It comes with very short 2 foot radials which were discarded and only the NICELY machined center donut was used for this installation.
I installed it on a 12AVQ which REQUIRES radials on all 3 bands.
Using 2 radials made of HAMSTICKS ( FIRESSTICKS FOR HAM BANDS ) on both 20 and 15 meters and 4 on 10 meters the antenna now works as described by HYGAIN. The 8 ham sticks form a circle that is 14 foot across.
Tests on 20 and 15 showed it to be as good as any local HAM using 100 watts and a vertical of any kind over a 1200 mile path. BUT on 10 meters it really works well. Because of the 4 radials a 12AVQ which is only a 1/4 wave on any band now was working as well as ANY multiband antenna even the 1/2 wave ones which HAVE NO RADIALS ... again this was measured over a 15 and 1200 mile path with Indiana being worked at 10PM on Sunday night on 28.500 .... HE could see that it was as strong as 2 other stations both running R7 1/2 wave antennas .... proving that a good radial system is a must on a 1/4 wave or any other short vertical.
If you need a radial system even with the (8) 2 foot ones this is a good start remember CB verticals are made to work without radials but
with this GRK-8 if you feel that a radial kit will help you it is hard to beat this for the price and the fact you can install any fire stick/ham stick you have room to experiment and go for the best results.
IN SHORT .....
In my case using a antenna that MUST have a ground plane this was a godsend and even though MY installation was not cheap it now works as well as $300-500 antennas ON THE AIR and that’s what counts.
I posted a photo on my antenna on member photos you can see what it looks like .
Bruce CEF132
On 6 since 66
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Big_m
Member
Username: Big_m
Post Number: 65
Registered: 9-2007
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 10:42 am: |
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Bruce I'm glad to see that your new install is working out. And I want to thank you for letting us know how well it works. I like the numbers that you stated. Now it really looks like a job well done. |
Revpo
Intermediate Member
Username: Revpo
Post Number: 481
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 3:18 pm: |
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SOUNDS great BRUCE, where do you purchase the grk-8 kit at Coopers
CEF 795
73
REVPO/DOCTOR/CEF 795
Wavin a hand from the cornfields of INDIANA
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 16839
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 4:05 pm: |
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M60-01060 GRK-8
[M60-01060] $24.99
Ground Plane Kit has (1) Slip-On Collar, (8) 2' Fiberglas Radials, and Hardware.
Fits Bandit and Most Other CB Antennas
Hope this help's,
Lon~Tech808
N9CEF~EN50mk
CEF#0808~CVC#0002
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Revpo
Intermediate Member
Username: Revpo
Post Number: 482
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 8:14 pm: |
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THANKS Lon, appreciate it
CEF 795
73
REVPO/DOCTOR/CEF 795
Wavin a hand from the cornfields of INDIANA
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 5041
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 9:31 pm: |
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Yes Coppers
On 6 since 66
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