On Sun, 03 Oct 2004 18:19:13 -0400, Mike Coslo
wrote:

I just got done installing radials for a new antenna, and was distressed
at the amount of time it was taking.

I was looking at some power tools that might speed up the trenching
process. Power edgers looked promising, but were 90 - 100 dollars for
electrical models, and more for the gas powered ones.

Finally I hit on something. I bought an inexpensive electric chainsaw.
I'm sure the neighbors thought I was a lunatic, but trenching for the
radials took surprisingly little time. So I laid all my radials in one
afternoon. It would have taken even less time if there had been an extra
person around to help.

Caveats:

This is of course *dangerous* - don't ever do it!!! Chainsaws are sharp
and nasty.

It wore out the Chainsaw chain. That really isn't a big deal. I'm just
going to save it for the next time I need to trench radials.

The chainsaw needs washed and lubed after trenching.

But it was quick. The radials are in, the post for the vertical is in
and concrete setting as I write.

Just thought I'd share this with the group. I never saw anyone else
saying they did anything similar, so I either stumbled on something, or
I'm completely whacked! ;^)

- Mike KB3EIA -

You've reinvented the Ditch Witch in a smaller, non-riding
version. Or is the Ditch Witch just a big chainsaw with a seat?

On Sun, 03 Oct 2004 22:25:22 -0400, Mike Coslo
wrote:



Hal Rosser wrote:

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...

I just got done installing radials for a new antenna, and was distressed
at the amount of time it was taking.

I was looking at some power tools that might speed up the trenching
process. Power edgers looked promising, but were 90 - 100 dollars for
electrical models, and more for the gas powered ones.

Finally I hit on something. I bought an inexpensive electric chainsaw.
I'm sure the neighbors thought I was a lunatic, but trenching for the
radials took surprisingly little time. So I laid all my radials in one
afternoon. It would have taken even less time if there had been an extra
person around to help.

Caveats:

This is of course *dangerous* - don't ever do it!!! Chainsaws are sharp
and nasty.

It wore out the Chainsaw chain. That really isn't a big deal. I'm just
going to save it for the next time I need to trench radials.

The chainsaw needs washed and lubed after trenching.

And the groove in the bar may be more V-shaped than when you
started. I once used a friend's well-used chainsaw and the chain could
wobble a bit in the groove because it was no longre a parallel-walled
groove. Not sure if this makes it easier for the chain to jump out. I
didn't use it for long.


But it was quick. The radials are in, the post for the vertical is in
and concrete setting as I write.

Just thought I'd share this with the group. I never saw anyone else
saying they did anything similar, so I either stumbled on something, or
I'm completely whacked! ;^)

- Mike KB3EIA -



Bravo! Thanks for the new addition for our bag of tricks.
The cost of a new chain is nothing compared to the labor savings.
How's the back from bending over that long?

The back is getting a bit sore as the evening wears on. I can only
guess that it would have been worse with the other methods form the time
I would have had to be bending.


One unexpected sore part is the fingers of my left hand got their nails
worn down and the skin is tender now - kind of like when a person first
plays the guitar. Probably from pushing and guiding the radial wires on
the ground as I pushed them under. Gloves for me the next time!

How about gloves plus a foot long piece of lath to do the
pushing?

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...
I just got done installing radials for a new antenna, and was distressed
at the amount of time it was taking.

I was looking at some power tools that might speed up the trenching
process. Power edgers looked promising, but were 90 - 100 dollars for
electrical models, and more for the gas powered ones.

Finally I hit on something. I bought an inexpensive electric chainsaw.
I'm sure the neighbors thought I was a lunatic, but trenching for the
radials took surprisingly little time. So I laid all my radials in one
afternoon. It would have taken even less time if there had been an extra
person around to help.

Caveats:

This is of course *dangerous* - don't ever do it!!! Chainsaws are sharp
and nasty.

It wore out the Chainsaw chain. That really isn't a big deal. I'm just
going to save it for the next time I need to trench radials.

The chainsaw needs washed and lubed after trenching.

But it was quick. The radials are in, the post for the vertical is in
and concrete setting as I write.

Just thought I'd share this with the group. I never saw anyone else
saying they did anything similar, so I either stumbled on something, or
I'm completely whacked! ;^)

- Mike KB3EIA -

I vote WHACKED(LOL)
You were on the right track when you were thinking edger. Rent dont buy,
cost about $20 for a half day. Got my neighbor to go in with me. Edged his
driveway and curb and mine and cut a trench for his low violtage lights.This
all took an extra 30 minutes. He paid the whole $20.