[CQ-Contest] Low 160m antenna as a backup- Can I make Q's?

[Mike Smith VE9AA]

So, this past weekend I pretty much got skunked on Topband as my 160m
inverted L died after the first QSO in the NAQP CW contest and I had no 160m
backup antenna.(only band I don't currently have a backup for). I was on
track to finally crack 300k in this one but Murphy got me.

 

About the only thing I would be able to manage as a "backup" antenna here is
a slightly ends-bent horizontal dipole, but only up 25' (that's roughly like
having a 20m dipole up ~3.3' if I've done my math correctly.)

 

Has anyone used a low 160m dipole at only 25'?

 

W's/VE's: Have you worked coast to coast (NA) or any DX with it?  

EU's: Have you worked any VE1's/W1's with it?

 

ARRL DX CW is coming up and while I do have my 160m L fixed I am still
vulnerable on this band if it goes south again.

 

I know all about verticals, inverted L's etc. I have a yard chock full of
them.   I have terrible soil conductivity here, but am at pretty good height
ASL, so do "OK" on VHF/HF.

 

My specific question is for a low (cloud warmer) dipole on Topband just to
work some mults in some of the major contests.

If it loads on other bands, that would be a bonus, but as I've never had
one, I'd also welcome that info.

 

Tnx All!

 

CU (all of a sudden!) in the next one.

 

Mike VE9AA "NB"

 

Mike - Keswick Ridge, NB, Canada 

 

 

Mike - Keswick Ridge, NB, Canada