Topband: Inverted-L

[Chuck Sudds]

Greetings!

I thought that I would take advantage of this warm Midwestern weather and 
install an Inverted-L antenna for 160M and I had a couple questions for you 
experienced antenna builders.

I plan to run the vertical portion up my Rohn 45G tower to about the 80ft 
level and then horizontal for 80-95ft.  I have approximately 125 of 
horizontal space available.  Would the antenna perform better by extending 
the horizontal portion as far as I can (125ft) or should I keep the entire 
thing at the tried and true 160-175ft total length?  I had planned to use 
RG-213 as a series capacitor to off-set any added reactance by doing this.

How far from the tower, realistically, do I need to be for the vertical 
element?

Sorry but I do not have an antenna analyzer so I will have to do it the old 
fashioned way, with an SWR bridge.  Any suggestions?  Thanks, in advance.

Chuck  KØTVD
Missouri Valley, Iowa