Topband: Double L antenna as an alternative for the radial-challenged?

[Andreas Hofmann]

Here is a follow up...

I got a few responses, mostly with people telling me to model it or giving me examples of their antennas. I did not model it yet (I will eventually), but did some more reading.  I want to restate my issue. A few radials are ok, but staying 2-dimensional would really help me to achieve my goals of adding multiple mono band antennas (80 and 160) and also place them close to the property line..... 

Now, I came across N6LF's article (http://rudys.typepad.com/ant/files/antenna_vertical_loaded.pdf) about the Lazy H vertical. That article is a good read and includes modelling as well.  It is similar to the double L but should work better as one more radial and top wire. Also, the article includes comparisons to half-wave and quarter-wave vertical in terms of peak gain, peak angle, wire loss, and SWR. 

Even though the article includes modelling and comparisons already, I would still like to ask if anyone is using the Lazy H vertical?  Are you happy with it, do you work DX with it?  DX and contesting is my main interest. Also, I probably would be able to go as high as 80 feet for the vertical dimension (90 feet horizontal).

Thanks again for the great tips and information,
Andy,
KU7T

-----Original Message-----
From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Andreas Hofmann
Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 11:24 AM
To: 'topband at contesting.com'
Subject: Topband: Double L antenna as an alternative for the radial-challenged?

Hi,

I am looking into what it would take to put a decent 160m antenna up.  I got many large trees, but also rather thick woods, and the radials are always something that I do not enjoy much. Also, I cannot see myself to do 16 radials. 4 elevated radials may be tough as well.  Terrain is just not as easy to get around.

Now, I am looking at options that do not require radials and still have a decent radiation angle for DX.  I am looking at this antenna http://www.yccc.org/Articles/double_l.htm, the double L antenna.  Has anyone experience with it?  What is the pattern of it and can it be compared to a quarter wave vertical?  I would assume since it somehow resembles a vertical dipole and therefore does not require any radials, that its efficiency should be much better than a quarter wave vertical with less than adequate number of radials...  Are my assumptions correct, and are there any other gotchas?

Thanks and cu soon on topband
Andy,
KU7T
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