Topband: Vertical

[Tom McAlee]

Hi Greg.

> the background is mind numbing static.  Any thoughts on how I could 
> improve this other than extending the vertical radiator another 50'.

It's all about the ears :)  If you extended the vertical to 90', you would 
have a more efficient radiator but you would still have mind numbing static. 
Even some of the stations with full-size 4 squares on 160 still use 
low-noise RX antennas there.

I'd focus on RX antennas and not worry about bigger/better TX verticals for 
now.  There are a few small-footprint possibilites that you can experiment 
with: EWE, K9AY loop, small RX 4 square, etc., that can improve the S/N over 
your 43' vertical.  ON4UN has plenty to say about them (and I see from your 
website you have the book)

73,
Tom, NI1N