Topband: raingutter antenna for ARRL 160

[jon jones]

Bill's post prompted me to relate this "antenna" I used last evening in the ARRL 160. I attached a wire to the bottom of the raingutter on our single level duplex and fed it againstground with two radials get on for the 'test. The gutter is probably around 100 ft total lengthand maximum height 12 feet around the duplex. Live in a C C & R neighborhood with no trees near. The gutter was very noisy on receive but seemed to get out. SWR was low and didn't need the tuner. Made one contact, then 5, 10, 15...By 1 am almost 100 Qs in the log running 100 watts. Most contacts were within a few hundred miles,but some out to New York, Maryland, VE5 and even ZF2AH. Heard PJ2T. Not an antenna I would choose if alternatives, but was able to hand out some contacts.  - Jon N0JK  KS
 > From: Bill Cromwell <wrcromwell at gmail.com>
> Subject: Topband: Great antenna adventure with Murphy
> To: topband at contesting.com
> Message-ID: <1322878454.1973.5.camel at lancelot>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
> 
> Whew!
> 
> Day three of my great antenna adventure. This is my third QTH to use
> this 135 foot end fed wire.> Bill  KU8H