ground wire?

[undertaker]

ok how long should the ground wire be on my long wire antenna...

Thanks
Bobby

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Any and all ground wires should be as short and as direct as possible. That is the only proper length for a ground wire. BTW you don't ground your longwire antenna but you do connect a ground wire from your radio to ground if that is what you mean.

 

[undertaker]

I guess I mean counterpoise.. there is a place on the box on the antenna for something..

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

A counterpoise is generally a quarterwave long. Not sure the antenna you are using but if you bought it it should have installation instructions. I used to have a 600 foot longwire and used it mainly fir RX so I never bothered much for a ground/counterpoise. I did use it a bit on 20m for TX into Japan however as it worked great in that direction.

 

[w9cll]

I guess I mean counterpoise.. there is a place on the box on the antenna for something.

Try it without first, you might be surprised. I do have a QSOKing long wire installed and it works well, keep in mind I never run more than 100 watts. The fan dipole works better but if I only had the long wire I would be happy. I have no counterpoise on it.

 

[undertaker]

Great Thanks!!!antenna says 200 watt antenna ..