possible solution could be, use Surface Earth Radials, If Mark could get, some Thick electrical
wire, from say a Scrapyard, preferably Insulated to stop Corrosion...Because...
When I worked at KCBC AM, we had VSWR trip problems, The antenna Unfortunately was located
in the Councils Road Salt storage area, so this rotted the earth mat away..well it would..!
I made a Current sensor loop, Knocked in a load of 22mm Copper tubing, round the mast
and measured the Relative Current into each stake, some were better than others...then...
I Spotted a huge Long Chain Link Fence, Connected this up as well, near the feedpoint
and this fixed it...The Tension wire of the Fence was Insulated, and was on Concrete posts
So this was, in effect a Surface Insulated Radial, as well as the 22mm copper pipes
Lots don't realise, how Poor Soil is as a conductor, If you were say,
making a VHF band Quarter wave, you would Not put it, in a plant pot, with some soil in it!
But that basically, is what you do with LW/ MW/ SW/ Ham Antennas fed against "ground"
The term Ground, should really call it Soil, as it don't "ground" very well
If for example, you put a 1kw Heater, between Live and an Earth stake (Don't try, dangerous)
It runs, but Earthworms come up round the Stake, due to Bad grounding (Don't try it Fishermen)
So Surface radials, and some sort of Grid round the High Current bit, near ATU might Help
could use New Electrical wire, but expensive, S/hand runs of several bits joined/waterproofed
may be able to bring the Efficiency up, so not warming the worms up !
Rod Watts
