=  NOW 25 WPM  =  TEXT IS FROM JULY 2022  QST  PAGE 54 =

AFFECT THE FUNCTION OF THE RADIALS.  VERTICAL ANTENNAS CAN WORK VERY WELL
WITH SHORT RADIALS.  I TRIED MY DX COMMANDER CLASSIC WITH MULTIPLE SHORT
RADIALS ONLY 10 FEET LONG.  ONE OF THE BEST SOURCES OF RADIAL WIRE IS YOUR
LOCAL HARDWARE STORE.  PURCHASE ORDINARY 12 OR 14 GAUGE HOUSE WIRE, IN
SINGLE WIRE FORM.  USUALLY, IT IS THHN AND HAS INSULATION.  YOU CAN CHOOSE
THE COLOR.  I RECOMMEND THE STRANDED WIRE FOR EASE OF HANDLING.  I USED
ABOUT 30 10 FOOT RADIALS.  THIS SIZE RADIAL WILL COME CLOSE TO COVERING
YOUR BACKYARD.  THE DX COMMANDER COMES WITH SOLDER LUGS TO PUT ON THE ENDS
OF THE RADIALS FOR READY CONNECTION TO THE ANTENNA BASE.  YOU CAN CONNECT
MORE THAN ONE RADIAL WIRE TO A SOLDER LUG, OR PURCHASE MORE SOLDER LUGS AT
YOUR LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY.  THESE ARE DESIGNED TO BE CRIMPED.  THATS
FINE, BUT I RECOMMEND SOLDERING THEM TOO.  THIS GIVES YOU MAXIMUM
FLEXIBILITY.  IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN DRIVE A GROUND ROD RIGHT AT THE BASE OF
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