Topband: Inverted L antennas.

[wa3mej at comcast.net]

I use an inverted L here but it goes to within 6 inches of the ground.  total length is about 160ft 

with about 70 vertical.  I use a homebrew variable cap to match it.  My radials are 4 loaded radials that 

are tuned to be electrically 1/4 wl long. 



When I first installed this antenna many years ago it was at the suggestion W3LPL.  After installing 

it I got frustrated when everyone else was hearing and working things that I could not even hear. 

A call to Frank helped solve some of the problems.. he told me to walk out about 6-10 ft from 

the base of the antenna, grab the radial throw it up in the tree about 6 or 7 ft above the ground. 

Then he told me to disconnect my ground from the base of the antenna. 



20 minutes later I was hearing and working all kinds of europeans to include russians. 

Over the years I have made several modifications to the antenna like adding an UNUN at 

the feed point to mitigate common mode problems etc. 



The secret is elevated radials and disconnecting the ground at the base of the antenna... I only use 

4 radials that are 1/8 wl long now but they are loaded and tuned to 1/4 wl electrical length... It works great 



Hope this helps the gentleman that is wanting info on inverted L antenna installation. 



Jim WA3MEJ