Ham Radio Forum

Planning a 9 meter high unloaded vertical antenna mounted on a dock that extends over brackish water. Will use a Johnson Matchbox antenna tuner mounted close to the base of the antenna. The base of the antenna is about 1.5 meters above the average water level. Tide range is about 0.5 meters. What are good ways to establish the ground connection to the water? Radial wires in the water? A floating metal plate of say 2 or 3 sq meters?

The best method depends to some extent on the frequency frequency range overwhich the antenna will be used, but in general, I think ground radials extending straight way from the base of the antenna into the saltwater will provide the best results. However, copper radial wires may deteriate quickly in the saltwater.