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concerned) that you can operate from is a salt marsh. Salt marshes aren't overly abundant, so other methods are used
to improve the conductivity of the soil and the performance of the ground. One method is to remove several inches
of soil for the entire circular area where the ground radials are to be set. Then wire mesh is unrolled over the area.
Afterwards, the ground radials are installed and the dirt or sod is laid overtop. This system improves the
conductivity considerably. Another method is to spread rock salt in the ground around
the radials and the center pipe. The problem here is that the salt will corrode the
ground system quicker than if it was buried in relatively salt-free soil.
If you are out in the field for an extended period of time, you will need to communicate
with other stations and some sort of ground system will probably be necessary. However, the
time and cost involved to install a large grounding system just isn't practical. This is where
the counterpoise or a ground radial wire set is handy. As stated previously, a counterpoise is
an artificial ground. One of the most common types of counterpoises is basically the same as the buried ground
radial system that was described in the previous paragraph. This system, however, is staked above the ground level
and it consists of approximately 8 ground radials. Either wooden or metal stakes can be used, and they should hold
the ground system at anywhere from one foot to several feet off of the ground level. If you take some care with
winding the radials up after each use, you should be able to install and remove one of these counterpoise ground
systems in between 30 and 45 minutes
High Ground Conductivity
maximizes a ground's
performance.
FIELD-OPERATION GROUNDS
A Counterpoise--an
artificial ground--is
preferred for most
operations.
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