Antenna ground system

A method of providing a grounding system for an antenna used with a radio transmitter having a low power output for limited range traveler's information stations, and transmitting a signal having a frequency between 530 KHz and 1610 KHz, said method comprising the steps of:

• preassembling a grounding system by providing a connector conductor for connection to the radio transmitter, by providing a plurality of grounding electrical conductors, and by connecting an end of said plurality of grounding electrical conductors to said connector conductor to form a preassembled unit;
• coating the connecting locations of the grounding electrical conductors and the connector conductor with a rubber coating;
• transporting the assembled grounding system to the location of the transmitter and antenna and connecting the connector conductor to the antenna;
• and
• deforming the connector conductor and also spreading out the preassembled unit including the grounding electrical conductors on the ground so that the antenna is substantially centered relative to the grounding electrical conductors with the grounding electrical conductors extending generally radially outwardly from the base of the antenna with some of the grounding electrical conductors contacting one another, said grounding electrical conductors each comprising a length of wire of approximately 20 feet or less, such that the grounding system for the antenna is confined to an area less than approximately 315 square feet when fully extended, whereby the grounding system is provided in a substantially smaller area than that required for a grounding system having radials extending a length equal to a quarter wavelength of a 1610 kHz signal.

A transmitter system including:

• a transmitter transmitting signals in a frequency range between approximately 530 KHz and 1610 KHz at a low power for limited range traveler's information stations;
• a vertical transmitting antenna coupled to said transmitter;
• a connector including an electrical conductor connected to said antenna;
• and
• a plurality of grounding electrical conductors each including an end section pre-connected to said connector electrical conductor, said end sections and said connector electrical conductor forming a bendable and deformable assembly that can be readily handled and fanned out without breakage and without unacceptable stretching of the connector electrical conductor and the grounding electrical conductors and further that can be spread out on site to form a continuous ground member positioned on the ground with the antenna substantially centered relative to said grounding electrical conductors, and said grounding electrical conductors comprising a length of wire of less than 20 feet and extending generally radially outwardly from the base of the antenna such that the entire grounding system for the antenna is assigned to an area less than approximately 315 square feet when fully extended, whereby the grounding system is provided in a substantially smaller area than that required for a grounding system having radials extending the length equal to a quarter wavelength of a 1610 kHz signal.

A method of providing a grounding system for an antenna used with a transmitter, comprising:

• providing a first electrical conductor having an end section and a second section;
• preassembling a plurality of grounding electrical conductors to said end section to form a first unit wherein said grounding electrical conductors are positioned generally parallel each other in a row along said end section;
• transporting said unit to a location;
• positioning said unit proximate the antenna and the transmitter;
• deforming said first electrical conductor and simultaneously fanning out said plurality of grounding electrical conductors into a pattern around the antenna with some of said grounding electrical conductors contacting others of said grounding electrical conductors;
• and
• connecting the second section of the first electrical conductor to the transmitter to form a grounding system.

A preassembled electrical grounding system for a radio transmitter, and an associated vertical transmitting antenna comprising:

• a connector including a first electrical conductor for connecting to said transmitter;
• a plurality of grounding electrical conductors connected to said first electrical conductor, said connector and plurality of grounding electrical conductors forming a preassembled deformable unit that is adapted to be deformed, handled, and spread out on the ground in a generally circular arrangement to provide a ground member around the vertical transmitting antenna with the antenna being substantially centered relative to said grounding electrical conductors;
• and
• said plurality of grounding electrical conductors being positioned adjacent each other in a row along a portion of said first electrical conductor during manufacture, but wherein said first electrical conductor and said plurality of grounding electrical conductors are sufficiently flexible and deformable to be handled and fanned out around the vertical transmitting antenna during installation.

An electrical grounding system for a radio transmitter for transmitting signals in a frequency range between approximately 530 KHz and 1610 KHz at a low power for limited range traveler's information stations, comprising:

• a vertical transmitting antenna;
• at least two planar panels, each of said panels having a geometric shape and including a plurality of grounding electrical conductors attached to each of said panels and further including a connector conductor connected to said plurality of grounding electrical conductors, said connector conductor :including a portion extending from an edge of said panel, said at least two panels being arrayed about said vertical antenna in a planar generally circular pattern with said connector conductor of each panel facing said vertical antenna and with each panel being physically separated from its adjacent panels, said panels each having a shape of about 10 feet by 10 feet such that the grounding system is confined to a known area when fully spread out so that the grounding system has substantially smaller dimensions than a quarter wave length of the transmission signals transmitted by said transmitter;
• and
• said extending portions of said electrical conductors being operably connected to said radio transmitter for providing a grounding system therefor.