Hey folks, quick reality check for anyone running or thinking about running a vertical like the 4Wave Antennas or honestly, any vertical - your radials are basically the other half of the antenna! Skip ’em or skimp on ‘em, and you’re basically asking your nice shiny radiator to work with one hand tied behind its back. 😏
The ground isn’t a perfect mirror; without good radials, you’re losing efficiency to ground losses, higher takeoff angles, and weaker signals. Radials give RF a low-resistance return path so more of your power actually radiates instead of turning into heat. For the 4Wave Antennas vertical and most multi-band or HF verticals, I strongly recommend three each of 12 ft, 17 ft, and 33 ft radials.
Why those specific lengths?
• ~33 ft ~ quarter-wave on 40m/7 MHz (and works decently on harmonics like 15m/20m)
• ~17 ft ~ quarter-wave on 20m/14 MHz (great for upper bands too)
• ~12 ft ~ quarter-wave on ~17m/18 MHz and helps fill in for 10-12-15m
Using a mix like this creates a broadband radial system that performs well across multiple bands instead of being optimized for just one. It’s not perfect for every single frequency, but it’s practical, effective, and way better than a single set of random-length wires or gasp no radials at all. Start with at least 1 set but 3 or more is better if you can swing it; this combo punches way above its weight.
Don’t let your vertical be the guy at the party with no dance partner. Give it some radials and watch the reports improve. - KB3CMT