*Question G9B06:
Where should the radial wires of a ground-mounted vertical antenna system be placed?*  

*Correct Answer is  C: On the surface or buried a few inches below the ground*  

### AI Response: (may contain errors)  

For a ground-mounted vertical antenna system, the radial wires are crucial for providing a good ground plane, which helps improve the antenna's efficiency and radiation pattern.

### Correct Answer: C

- **On the surface or buried a few inches below the ground**:  
  Radial wires should be placed on the surface or buried just below the ground to create an effective ground plane. This setup minimizes ground losses and enhances the antenna's performance by providing a low-resistance path for the return currents.

### Why Other Choices Are Incorrect:

- **A: As high as possible above the ground**:  
  Placing radials high above the ground is not effective for a ground-mounted vertical antenna. Elevated radials are used in elevated vertical antennas, but they require fewer radials and specific lengths, which is a different configuration.

- **B: Parallel to the antenna element**:  
  While radials are indeed parallel to the ground, they are not parallel to the vertical antenna element itself. They should extend outward from the base of the antenna along the ground.

- **D: At the center of the antenna**:  
  Radials are not placed at the center of the antenna. They extend outward from the base, forming a ground plane around the antenna.

### Additional Notes:

- **Number of Radials**: More radials generally improve performance. A common rule of thumb is to use at least 16 radials, but more can be beneficial.
- **Length of Radials**: Ideally, radials should be at least 1/4 wavelength long, but shorter radials can still be effective if many are used.

Understanding the role and placement of radials is key to optimizing the performance of a ground-mounted vertical antenna system.