Topband: Improving Inverted "L"?

[herbs@surfvi.com]

Quoting Mike Kroh <mkroh at bendbroadband.com>:

> I recently put up an Inverted "L" for 160 which I'm not completely 
> happy about and would appreciate any helpful suggestions.

Mike,

A quick way to significantly improve the DX performance of an inverted "L" is
to change the top to a "T" configuration with equal flat top on each side of
the downlead.  If you must have the "L" configuration your performance can be
improved by folding back the horizontal wire portion on itself with spacers.
The far end is tied together and the downlead end of the flat top is not.
This will cancel a significant amount of high angle radiation.  Remember
however that a 40 foot vertical on 160, even with top loading, is still a
compromise.  The magic seems to start to show up at about 65-75 feet of
vertical length with the appropriate amount of balanced top loading.

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ