Topband: First attempt at beverage antenna, not working as expected

[Mark Lunday]

Additional notes:

EU stations that I can hear S7 on the 80 meter half-square, are reduced to
NIL on the beverage.

I can hear some US stations to the NE.

_____________________________________________
From: Mark Lunday [mailto:mlunday at nc.rr.com] 
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 9:14 PM
To: 'topband at contesting.com'
Subject: First attempt at beverage antenna, not working as expected


My first beverage, I was expecting better results.

I could only roll out 250 feet of new, insulated 14 gauge stranded wire, but
I did get it consistently about 6 feet above ground.  The ground slopes away
at about 10 degrees angle and at the end of the wire the slope increases to
35 degrees and goes into a creek bed.  The ground then rises again on the
other side of the creek bed.  250 kV power lines on 200 foot towers at 600
foot away, although no noise is noticed.

I do have the 450 ohm resistor at the far end for termination, a ground rod
at each end with somewhat moist conditions (snow melt), 250 foot of low loss
coax.

The transformer and resistor are from DX engineering, so I do not suspect an
issue with the parts.

I read that a bev antenna "wants to work"

What I hear on 40, 80, and 160 is a much lower noise floor, no gain (none
expected), but I don't hear a better S/N on the EU stations - beverage
pointed 045 true from here in NC.  I expected to hear the EU stations
"better" on the beverage.

I am using a Flex 3000, so I do not have (nor should I need) a pre-amp.

Any suggestions welcome.  I realize that the length is not optimum for 160,
but it should do better than my inverted L.

Thanks

Mark Lunday
WD4ELG