Hygain DX-88, Radials

[M0XRZ]

The first Vertical antenna I bought was a Hygain DX-88. I have it ground mounted. I opened the instruction book and it is in feet and inches, great I thought, we use inches here in the UK. So I followed the instruction book and stood back when I finished, Good Job, however shortly after I realised it was for IARU,Region 2. Now I have to calibrate it for IARU Region 1. Are there are any maths geniouses who can help calibrate it for Region 1.
The second question is, It is ground mounted with a couple of earth rods. I do not have the ground radials for it. So I have connected it up to a wire fence around a 4 acre field. Will this be a good compromise for the DX-88 radials. I have heard of people using chicken wire under the ground. The fence I have hooked it up to is above ground.

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QUOTE , "The Most Expensive Thing In Life Is Experience" . M0XRZ (May 2012).

[WB2WIK]

It's difficult to predict whether that fence is doing any sort of decent job for you or not. If you have the wire connection from the vertical base to the fence handy to attach and then remove, you should be able to tell whether it's doing anything based on antenna resonance, and to some extent even by what you can hear on the receiver.

The DX-88 will not fare well without a good ground radial system. The "earth rods" might help with lightning transients, but don't make any sort of RF ground system for a vertical.

Re IARU Region 1 vs. Region 2, what are the actual differences? I can think of one, which is 40 meters, where you guys are centered lower in the band than we are here. Other band differences? This may amount to "very little," or possibly "nothing."