Topband: INV-L with traps

[Larry Pasman]

Being from Battle Creek With W8UVZ, K8GG and W0CD as very good friends and a much  help. I built a Battle Creek Trapper (the wire version ) of the Battle Creek Special this summer. If performs at least as well as an Inverted L and will operate 3 bands. The  Battle Creek Super Special has been loaned to many DXpeditions. A very proven antenna. It was built by W0CD,K8GG,and W8UVZ for loan to whom ever needs a good DXpedition antenna. The  wire version I built has performed better than I expected with 28 radials (small lot) in many different directions and lengths. However RG58 traps will not stand up to a amp. W0CD and the Battle Creek George's recommend using LC traps with at least 5kv doorknob caps with #12 wire coils. Or at least RG213 for the traps if you are going to use QRO. Be sure to start the tuning process with 40 meters , then 80, and then 160. I built mine using 4 wires of 14ga with 4" spacing for the 40 and 80 meter vertical sections, with 4 14 ga wires taped together for the 160 section, The apex of the antenna is at 72' in an inverted L fashion. I did this to gain a bit of capture area plus possible broader banding and also to strengthen the entire antenna to help support the traps. Larry W8VVG