Topband: Topband loaded dipole?

[donovanf at starpower.net]

I have a full size 160M horizontal dipole -- 120 feet high -- and an array of four 1/4 wavelength verticals with an extensive buried radial system.

Except on rare occasions, DX signals are always at least 6 dB stronger on the verticals than on the dipole, and frequently much more. On many occasions, DX signals that easily copiable and workable on the verticals are completely inaubible on the dipole.

I would expect similar results when comparing the DX performance of a loaded horizontal dipole to a top loaded vertical.

73
Frank
W3LPL  

>---- Original message ----
>>Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:55:22 -0700
>>From: "Jim Brown" <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com>  
>>Subject: Re: Topband: Topband loaded dipole?  
>>To: "TopBand List" <topband at contesting.com>
>>
>>On Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:15:11 -0300, Herb Schoenbohm wrote:
>>
>>>he best thing IMO you could do for a DX antenna on 160 meters is to 
>>>drop a single vertical wire from the exact center (of your 110 foot 
>>>flattop) and feed it against ground as a Marconi T. 
>>
>>I strongly agree. I have a top-loaded Tee as Herb describes, with a 
>>lot of radials. Also a 170 ft loaded dipole that's up about 110 ft. 
>>The vertical nearly always beats the dipole, often by a lot. 
>>
>>73,
>>
>>Jim K9YC