This might be worth a read
http://www.eham.net/forums/TowerTalk/16020
----- Original Message -----
From: "Craig D. Smith" <craig@powersmith.net>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 30 December, 2008 10:00 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] 160 mtr vertical Query
><> In my quest for a 160 meter antenna, I have been looking at one of
> <> the 43' verticals such as the DX Engineering or MFJ one. Until such
> <> time as I get a tower up, this route seems to be my only alternative.
> <> Trees are kind of scarce in the desert.
> <> My question is, and it is aimed at folks who use one of these (not you
> <> guys with the 4-squares !!) how well does it work for you ? Can you
> work
> <> the DX with it ? Is it worth the effort and cost ?
> <>
> <> Thanks, Dick, W1KSZ
>
> I can offer you at least limited encouragement, Dick. I enjoy the 160
> contests but am limited to a VERY small city lot with severe HOA
> restrictions. I use a system that essentially uses a 43 ft vertical as
> the
> vertical portion of an inverted L. But I don't bother with the bulk and
> expense of the DX Engineering, MFJ or Array Solutions offerings (FINE
> products, I am sure). Instead, for my temporary needs, I use a 40 ft
> SpiderBeam fiberglas pole to support a 43 ft AWG 12 wire (angled from the
> feedpoint to the top of the pole) and then connect an AWG 26 black stealth
> wire from the top of the vertical wire to a 30 ft Jackite pole to form an
> inverted L. This will provide better 160 meter performance than the 43 ft
> vertical. Ideally, the total wire length will be 1/4 WL, but if not an L
> network at the base will work wonders. The performance (as with the 43 ft
> vertical) will be highly dependent on the radial system used, but I've had
> reasonable success with 16 radials from 15 to 75 ft. Did 729 Qs in the
> ARRL
> 160 contest from Colorado, including some DX. Email me if you want to
> discuss the details.
>
> 73 Craig AC0DS
>
>
>
>
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