Topband: Elementary Inverted L questions

[Wes]

How long is the vertical section?  The insulation should have minimal effect.

Wes  N7WS


On 3/25/2021 8:07 AM, N4ZR wrote:
> I have been trying to replace my inverted L, which broke a few weeks ago, and 
> am having all sorts of puzzlements. Please be kind - I was a history major.
>
> 1.  The inverted L broke at the turn, so I went looking for sturdier wire.  I 
> wound up with some #14 insulated recommended by our local RF maven, and put up 
> 140 feet initially, figuring I would prune it *up* into the CW part of the 
> band.  Imagine my surprise when it showed up resonating at 1977 KHz (on an 
> AA-55 Zoom).  Does insulation have such a profound effect on velocity factor?
>
> 2.  My feedpoint arrangement has 17 turns of RG-400 as a common mode choke, 
> with the radial field connected to the RG-400 shield at the antenna end.  
> Initially I tried measuring the resonance without the radial connection.  No 
> resonance and infinite SWR.  I connected the radial field (8 X 70-foot radials 
> on the ground) and that's when I saw the 1977 KHz resonance (X crossing 
> zero).  SWR at minimum was above 2:1.  Does this make sense?  I know the 
> radial field is inadequate for good performance, but...
>