Topband: Anttea Options for Upcoming Season

[Ed Richardson]

Hello Topband Fans:

I have been given an opportunity to install a simple wire antenna for 160m from a commercial tower here in VE4 land. The tower is 450 feet (aprox 140m) and is guyed at 5 levels I was contemplating my options and thought I would solicit advice from the most knowledgeable topbanders around.

My first choice was to install a simple vertical half wave dipole offset from the side of the tower by up to 2m. The center of the antenna  would be approximately 90m (300') above the ground.

I will try modeling this but was wondering if I should effect of the tower and guys would make this problematic to tune? As the tower is approaching 1 wavelength, should I expect to have to detune the tower?

I can not add my own anchor points for slopers and would need to use what is there. Ground mounted radials are not an option.

Any other ideas, suggestions are potential gotch'yas?

Love to put VE4 on topband from other than a postage stamp sized City lot.

73 Ed  VE4EAR