“Directional” Radials Explained! Are 90* radials really directional?

Hinzugefügt: 2026-05-07

[00:00:00]Hey y'all, Paul Kilo, Juliet 5 Golf, Kilo Kilo, the Southern Ham. And today we are back out here at the park. I call it the antenna testing ground because we're here for it's kind of like the torture test.

[00:00:13]The directional test of the picnic portable antenna shooting the signal northwest.

[00:00:21]That should be the torture test. Why don't y'all come along?

[00:00:31]If you saw the previous video that I did, I'll link it up here.

[00:00:35]Um I did I took my picnic portable antenna, which look at the channel, you'll find those videos if you haven't seen them already already where I've used the quick grip clamp and we'll look at all this to elevate the the mount above a picnic table or any other mounting surface using a 17-ft whip and two elevated radials at 90° much in in the shape of the portable performer antenna.

[00:01:02]Two elevated radials 90° offset from one another. And in the first round of the test in the video that I linked, we shot the signal. I'm using that term shot, we'll talk about that in a minute to the northeast and had great success.

[00:01:16]Made a bunch of contacts.

[00:01:18]Great deal of those contacts were in that northeasterly direction. However, you guys are smart and y'all pointed out to the old Southern Ham, well, Paul, that's where most hams are.

[00:01:30]Yeah, you're right. There's a high concentration of people and therefore ham radio operators in the northeast corridor.

[00:01:37]So, the real test as some of you asked would be to hey, shoot that signal out to the northwest toward Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Colorado, Utah, Nevada out that way and see if you have the same kind of success. So, anyway, that's what we're going to do today.

[00:01:58]But let's talk about what we're really doing here.

[00:02:02]With what we're talking about today, quote directionality with a 17-ft vertical or any other vertical antenna using elevated radials is really not directionality.

[00:02:15]Okay? It's really not. What it is is a boost to the signal. It's It's a You're helping the signal a little bit in a in a focused direction.

[00:02:27]So, when you elevate these radials 90° from what I can understand and all the studying that I've done on it, it gives you about a point 3 to.5 dbi forward gain.

[00:02:42]Um and that equates to about a a half to one S unit in the direction that you have focused the signal.

[00:02:53]So, it's more of a nudge to the signal than it is direction. So, I guess this is the analogy that I've come up with that I think explains this the best. If I stood in the middle of a field with a with a a megaphone and I pointed it in one direction, let's just say due north and I talked into that megaphone and you were standing behind me 100 yards, you'd be able to hear me, wouldn't you? Sure you would. If you were standing on the east side or the west side, you'd be able to hear me.

[00:03:25]But if you were standing north of me in the direction I've pointed that megaphone you'd hear me a lot better. You'd get the loudest signal.

[00:03:35]So, that's kind of the way this setup it's kind of what it does to your RF. It gives it a little bit of a pop in the direction. So, it's not directional in the sense that there's no reception in other places. We're going to have if we if all goes well today, we'll pick up some signals in the in the northwest, but we're also going to pick up signals in Florida. I'm in Louisiana, so that would be south and east of me. Um we're going to pick up signals in the northeast, I'm sure. But hopefully we pick up a few in the northeasterly direction and we'll pay attention to the signal reports that we receive from them and the reception of those signals to me. So, anyway, that's what it's all about. It's more about helping that signal along than it is directionality. So, I use that term loosely cuz it's kind of something that everybody understands. But remember that megaphone analogy. I think that explains it pretty well. Now, let's look at the setup. All right, guys, from the from this direction, so this uh here's one of the two radials.

[00:04:42]They're elevated.

[00:04:44]The other one goes over there to that fence post.

[00:04:48]And I'm using what I call my picnic portable mount. It is a mirror mount attached to the quick grip clamp as you've seen in the previous videos and it's simply attached to the top right there. And the 17-ft in my case the 17-ft Chameleon is fully extended up there and we've got one radial pointed north, one radial pointed west and uh that gives us in this direction northwest propagation now, it's northwest help. Let's just put it that way. So, anyway, let's set out the radio and see what the see how it tunes up first and then we'll get started.

[00:05:34]All right, let's see what the old rig expert has to say.

[00:05:38]Well, I'll say that'll work. 1.13 at 1414, but under 1.2 across the entire uh 20-m band. I think we can work with that. So, now let's just see if we get any results out of this thing.

[00:05:56]There are roughly 91 spots on 20 m. Um on the spot page. So, it's kind of crazy. Apparently there is the Indiana Kuso party and maybe some others.

[00:06:09]Um but what I found in the extra portion of the band is a is a park-to-park in Oregon.

[00:06:15]Right up our alley.

[00:06:16]He's not real strong to me, but we're going to see if we can pick him up. Here we are.

[00:06:38]Kilo Juliet 5 Golf Kilo Kilo, Kilo Juliet 5 Golf Kilo Kilo, park-to-park.

[00:06:53]Kilo Juliet 5 Golf Kilo Kilo, Kilo Juliet 5 Golf Kilo Kilo, park-to-park.

[00:07:08]52 Roger Roger max, Roger Roger max. My park for you is US10562, 10562.

[00:07:22]QSL?

[00:07:31]Your signal report is 5 by 2, 5 by 2.

[00:07:34]QSL?

[00:07:43]Roger that, match. You just came up to a 5 by 5. I've got a lot of QRM and QSB, but you just came up to 5 5. Thank you so much for the Oregon contact, my friend. 73.

[00:07:58]Wow. So, I don't know if that's proof. He's all the way out in Oregon and we were successful in our park-to-park. So, let's see what else we can find.

[00:08:07]This is a Colorado station.

[00:08:10]Oh, no, I'm sorry, Wyoming.

[00:08:17]Kilo Juliet 5 Golf Kilo Kilo, park-to-park.

[00:08:22]Roger Roger Kilo Juliet 5 Golf Kilo Kilo, park-to-park from US10562, Robert.

[00:08:34]Roger Roger Louisiana, Louisiana, Lima Alpha.

[00:08:39]73, my friend.

[00:08:42]Wow, 59 to Colorado. Y'all hear all that junk on the band and I busted right in there. This thing may be working.

[00:08:50]>> [laughter] >> Let's find out.

[00:08:55]All right, here's a station in Nebraska.

[00:08:58]So, kind of north northwest. I'm telling you the bands are so packed. There's not a KC available.

[00:09:11]Kilo Juliet 5 Golf Kilo Kilo, park-to-park.

[00:09:17]We got it.

[00:09:20]Kilo Juliet 5 Golf Kilo Kilo in I'm at park US10562.

[00:09:26]I've got you 5 by 8.

[00:09:41]My apologies, my friend. It's Kilo Juliet 5 Golf Kilo Kilo, Kilo Juliet 5 Golf Kilo Kilo. My park number is US10562, 10562 and I'm in Louisiana, Lima Alpha.

[00:09:55]I have you 5 by 8.

[00:09:58]Roger 5 by 8, Paul. Southern Ham if you can hear me off the air. I I got you 5x3 Who knew? making it in here in Nebraska US4014 very clean Roger Roger Ian fantastic man. I've got pretty good clean and I appreciate you being out there. I hope you're having a fantastic activation. Thank you so much for picking me up. You have fun. 73. Oh I am Paul I'm trying to work all the that's all you do it. You were my 10th contact here at the first third park.

[00:10:25]What is the four of us on this here in the four? Roger Roger well good luck get after it. I'll tell you if I can pick you up in another one.

[00:10:31]Kilo November 4 Papa Whiskey Lima Whiskey Kilo November 4 Papa Whiskey Lima William and where are you William?

[00:10:39]Kentucky or Kansas? Yeah Kentucky yes Kilo Bravo 2 Yankee Echo Whiskey Kilo Bravo 2 Yankee Echo Whiskey guy in North Carolina 59.

[00:10:50]Kilo Echo 0 6 India Mike on first call Holy moly Mike how in the world are you 59?

[00:10:58]All right man it's hard to hear you from Kansas buddy. I got you 5 and 6 today though but band size is short today 5 and 6 All parks US2331 USL Roger Roger 2331 I've got it Mike fantastic. Yeah I'm doing a little test on the the some elevated radios kind of pointing northwest so I guess you're in the pattern my friend.

[00:11:23]Sounds like it. Thank you for thinking about me. I cracked it on the park at 2331 2331 Roger Roger Roger Cheney State Kilo Sierra Roger Roger very good. Thank you so much Mike man fantastic to get the park with you the park to park. I hope you're having fun out there enjoy your photo today. 73 You too buddy 73 73 That's a traveling ham.

[00:11:47]Kilo Quebec 4 Quebec Echo Mike sounds good 59 Richard.

[00:11:52]Oh you're a 59 here in Fayetteville North Carolina on the Fort Bragg. Roger Roger man thank you so much and I thank you for all the folks at Fort Bragg.

[00:11:59]Y'all have a great day. 73 You do the same thanks for being there 73 Whiskey 9 Delta Julia Papa Dave in South Milwaukee Roger Roger Dave what a signal my friend 59 plus sounding fantastic.

[00:12:12]Yeah thank you that's November 0 Charlie Victor Lima and I got you a 56 in the Colorado.

[00:12:19]Wow fantastic Charles. I'm glad to hear my signal's getting up that way. You are 59 here in Louisiana Lima Alpha US10562 QSL? Yeah QSL thanks for the 59. Have fun out there Paul 73 73 Kilo Delta 9 Victor Uniform Kilo park to park Kilo Delta 9 Victor Uniform Kilo Aiden I've got you nice signal Aiden 59 in my park US10562.

[00:12:41]Kilo 9 I got you 59 plus 10 in the US4238 US4 or sorry US11935 QSL?

[00:12:51]Kilo Echo 8 Yankee Delta Quebec Kilo Echo 8 Yankee Delta Quebec Brian in Ohio 55 Kilo Echo 8 QSL following after Southern Ham you are Roger Roger man I finally got Brian Kilo Echo 8 Yankee Delta Quebec and I really appreciate you buddy. Have fun. 73 No problem 6 United Sugar Japan Kilo Bravo 6 United Sugar Japan Michael in California is that a QSL?

[00:13:20]QSL QSL you're 55 in California good luck Roger Roger I got you 58 Michael sounding fantastic. Thanks for the West Coast contact 73 Kilo November 9 Kilo Uniform Delta Kilo November 9 Kilo Uniform Delta James in Wisconsin 58 You're 59 59 Wisconsin Kilo Foxtrot 8 Charlie India Zulu Kilo Foxtrot 8 Charlie India Zulu Kirk in Michigan beautiful signal 59 I've dropped I've dropped down to the extra portion at the 215 to see if I can get a few more contacts. See Kilo 9 Lima Victor Kilo 9 Lima Victor Thomas in Indiana beautiful booming signal 59. Thank you Thomas.

[00:14:07]QSL you are 57 57 into Southern Indiana November 9 Kilo Delta Bravo November 9 Kilo Delta Bravo Eric in Indiana beautiful but probably the best signal I've heard today 59 plus. Oh Roger Roger Paul hey thanks appreciate it. You're also 59 into Indiana sound good.

[00:14:28]November 9 Whiskey Quebec Papa November 9 Whiskey Quebec Papa Jerry I believe it is 59 beautiful signal.

[00:14:37]QSL copy the 59 I've got you 57 into Indiana. Thanks have fun 73 Alpha Delta 8 Kilo Bravo Alpha Delta 8 Kilo Bravo Michael in Ohio beautiful signal 59 Yeah QSL QSL I got Paul the Southern Ham. How you doing buddy? I got you buddy 54 in Ohio. Roger Roger man well thank you so much Michael. I'm as thrilled to get you in my log as you are to get me my friend and I really do appreciate you hunting today. Your your signal is awesome.

[00:15:08]Yeah all righty buddy you have a good one and photo on there buddy 73 Thank you man. I really do appreciate you. Number 52 and I'm going to wrap this up here in just a minute so I appreciate you getting in the log.

[00:15:19]73 Kilo Kilo Golf 4 Romeo Kilo Golf 4 Romeo Thomas in Florida 59 beautiful audio.

[00:15:27]Thanks so much. You're also 59 at the moment in Southwest Florida. Thank you so much man. I appreciate you. Have fun on the in the sunshine state. 73 Kilo Delta 9 Uniform Victor Kilo Kilo Delta 9 Uniform Victor Kilo that's James in Illinois James 59 59 in Illinois thank you. Have a good one. 73 QRZ Kilo 8 Mike Romeo Delta park to park Kilo 8 Mike Romeo Delta Mike in Texas 59 Mike how you doing? Oh not so bad of an accident in Florida now but United Sierra 3641 3641 and I have you 555 Roger Roger 3641 Okeechobee Battlefield sounds like QSL?

[00:16:06]Roger that Fantastic Mike thank you so much for the contact my park for you US10562 your signal's fabulous 59. Have fun. 73 Thanks man 73 Wow It's a wild because it's a great activation y'all. 58 contacts in 57 minutes and um it's good.

[00:16:29]Did we get the directionality that we were looking for? Not really. Let's look at the map. I'll show you the map. So look at those uh contacts. So I would say that probably 60% of them are in the northeast. Uh we have uh you know some out we got the the park to park in Oregon. We got contact in California.

[00:16:53]Uh a couple in Colorado so uh so there was signal headed that way. Um but like I said in the beginning of the video don't think that um that elevated radials in a 90° pattern is purely directional. It's just not.

[00:17:12]It's a it's an assist to your signal. So I'll give you guys my promise. I'll get out and do this test again on a day when there's not so much QRM on the band. There was a lot of mess on the band today and it made it very frustrating so I had to drop down in the extra portion of the band to get that done. Had a lot of great contacts. Uh you know radio is just so much fun. You know when you can have the kind of contacts that we have all over the world and then I had a contact with a friend of mine November 5 Delta Golf Kilo 5 miles on 20 m.

[00:17:48]What do you do? I mean that's fun. So nice to get that contact with Brooke November 5 Delta Golf Kilo.

[00:17:56]I had a had a contact with K8MRD and just so many others. So yeah so a lot of fun just super super fun today.

[00:18:04]The weather's gorgeous. It's actually a little bit chilly.

[00:18:07]But anyway always fun to get out in park. I'll continue to play with this configuration this uh Let me say this about the setup. Forget the directional radios for now. The picnic photo is a great setup. It is very windy in the park today. I don't know if y'all could pick that up. I hope the the dead cat kept you from hearing that wind noise. But this is a this is a stable a setup as you can get in wet soil conditions the ground is very wet. We've had two days of rain. If I'd have put a spike in the ground the antenna was still blown over.

[00:18:37]It's that windy. But it didn't go in anywhere on that on that quick grip clamp. So if it has no advantage at all other than that that's a good advantage. So if you're working in windy conditions it does help. So anyway I'm rambling on.

[00:18:50]But anyway thank y'all for coming along.

[00:18:51]If you enjoy what you like what you see on the channel you know what to do. Hit that like button. Subscribe to the channel if you would and hit that notification bell. Uh that way you know the next time the Southern Ham drops a video. Thank y'all for coming along. I appreciate you. 73