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Re: Topband: Inverted L question

To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Inverted L question
From: Jim Brown <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>
Reply-to: jim@audiosystemsgroup.com
Date: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 18:49:34 -0800
List-post: <topband@contesting.com">mailto:topband@contesting.com>
On Tue,2/3/2015 1:55 PM, Art Snapper wrote:
How important is it for the top part to be led away at a right angle?

I was considering running it vertically 80ft, then about 25 feet at a 45
degree up angle and 25 feet at a 45 degree down angle, over the top of the
supporting tree.

That shape should work just fine, BUT -- the end of an inverted L is a high voltage point (VERY high voltage if you're running an amp), so it's easy to get arcing to the tree. I had a 160 dipole up for several years, and the first rigging had one end in contact with foliage of the tall redwood that held it up. When I took it down for maintenance, the insulation was heavily scorched.

Another suggestion. Do you have skyhooks that you might use to turn it into a Tee? If you can, it will work as well or better than the L. Both configurations are simple ways of providing top-loading.

Bottom line -- run it through the tree with caution. It will work, but things can go wrong. :)

73, Jim K9YC
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