NMO Trucker Antenna Radials

Radials on an antenna act as an artificial “ground” for the Trucker NMO vertical polarized antennas models (SP-TKR5-S & SP-TKR5-T). The 6 piece radials are made with metal rods.  They are screwed on the antenna’s base ferrule horizontally extending outward. Their primary role is to create the opposing side for the RF signal.  In simpler terms, when we say that “their primary role is to create the opposing side for the RF signal,” we mean that the radials on an antenna help to balance out the electrical circuit. Think of the RF signal as an electrical wave that needs a path to travel. For this wave to function properly, it needs two sides: one side is the antenna itself, which transmits or receives the signal, and the other side is the radials. The radials act like a mirror, reflecting the signal back to complete the circuit. This helps in making the antenna work more efficiently by providing a return path for the RF energy, ensuring that the signal is strong and clear.