Topband: New on 160

[Charlie Young]

Hello Topbanders:  I have read the list archives for several years, but my actual 160 operating experience consists of a handful of Q's made from Louisiana in the 1990's. After moving to WV and retiring in August, my goal is to participate in the fun others have been having for years on 160. For about the last month, I have been experimenting with various temporary antennas in different configurations, and operating 160 to judge the results.  This reflector has been a big help to me, plus I have studied ON4UN's book for ideas. Currently, I have up two inverted L's, each with two resonant 1/4 wave radials 8' off the ground, plus a full 1/2 wave dipole with the center at about 45'.   My QTH is on a small hilltop, and the ground slopes off at a very steep angle in all directions. One of the L's has the vertical portion just over the peak of the hill, with the ground sloping to the N/NE under it. The horizontal portion is essentially over the level ground on top.  The other L is identical to the first, except the vertical portion is hanging out over the SE/E sloping portion of the hill.  In fact, the horizontal portion of these antennas is supported in one span, with about 15' separating the ends of the wires.   The L's consistently outperform the dipole for DX, except during the period right before and at sunset, when so far the EU signals on the dipole have been 1 to 4 S units louder than on the N/NE L. This effect goes away shortly after sunset.  and the N/NE L takes over, by a large margin. I have seen this effect described, but it is interesting to observe it.  The most interesting thing is the difference in directivity between the L's, caused by the hill slope. For example, on 5K0T, the signal was 20 to 40 db louder on the S/SE L than on the N/NE L.  I expected some effect from the hill slope, but not this much.  Likewise, the N/NE L consistently is louder to EU by 2 S units or more over the S/SE L. There is a lot of info out there on the effect of sloping ground with horizontal antennas, but not so much with vertical polarization, and some of the available info is conflicting.  I decided to do some experimenting with rope and wire before constructing a permanent installation.  This has been a blast, and the fall wx here in WV was perfect.  Since Nov 3, I have about 140 non contest DX Q's, including 4 JA's, 2 UA0's and 53 countries overall, with no separate RX antennas, and transmit antennas that would not qualify as good FD installations.  All of these were S&P, except last night at EU sunrise I called CQ and had a small run of 22 stations. I have been reluctant to call CQ, because my lack of experience leaves me wondering about RX capability. Don't want to be an alligator!  Next steps:  More radials to judge the performance difference.  Another L oriented over the ground slope to favor the Pacific.  I have yet to hear or work a Pacific station, other than KH6.  I am going to try a beverage to EU; not sure what effect the ground slope will have.  Also going to try a RX loop oriented over the ground slope and see what that  does.  It might work great, we will see. I could try phasing the L's. Hope we have a few more days of good wx left before winter sets in for the season.  I have enjoyed reading Tree's Boring Reports and find them very interesting. Had the good fortune of meeting Tree at W5WMU's shack a few years ago prior to SS. It amazes me what Tree and others on the west coast can work.  73, Charlie N8RR 
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