Topband: "T"-Top Vertical Antennas

[Rick Stealey]

> Station 1BCG in Greenwich, CT used a
> modified "T"-top Marconi vertical at a height of 70 feet. The top-hat span
> was 100-ft.
>
Last winter I had some free time on my hands and I did some reading
about the transatlantic tests, and then researched through many QSTs
of the period to see when modern versions of antennas were 
discovered.  Typical antennas of the early 20's were what they 
called flattops, several parallel wires horizontally, with a 
single wire or cage type "feedline" to the rig.  
If memory serves me correctly, the 1BCG guys referred to their 
antenna as a flattop radiator, fed by a vertical wire.  Most 
likely they didn't realize it was their "feeder" doing all the work
and the flattop radiation was being cancelled out !
Also of interest is the receiving antenna on the other side of
the Atlantic - a Beverage.  But it was a Beverage strung 
up over a wet marsh, probably of very good conductivity.  Not 
something we would consider a good idea today.
The QRO CW signal out of 1BCG didn't hurt either.
QRO, Marconi antenna, CW, Beverage, lots of selectivity in the 
receiver- the ingredients of success in 1921 and still the case
88 years later.
Rick  K2XT

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