[TowerTalk] 160M Wire Antenna

[K7GCO@aol.com]

In a message dated 24.04.00 08:08:46 Pacific Daylight Time, w7ti@jps.net 
writes:
<< On Sun, 23 Apr 2000 22:20:25 -0400, "Tom Rauch" <w8ji@contesting.com>
 wrote: <snip>
 >> Another interesting characteristic of inverted vees is that when the
 >> apex is roughly 1/4 wavelength high or less, they are almost perfectly
 >> omnidirectional in the azimuth plane.  There is no "donut" pattern typical
 >> of horizontal dipoles.  This is not always desirable, but it does mean
 >> that you can orient it any way you like without having to worry about
 >> either favored or null directions.
 >
 >That's true for a low dipole also. There is very little difference in 
 >pattern between an inverted V dipole and a regular dipole, except 
 >the inverted V dipole acts like it is mounted a bit lower.
 >73, Tom W8JI
  >>
Tom:  What you say is true about the inverted vee pattern being 
omnidirectional in the azimuth plane.  But the inverted vee is mostly 
vertically polarized off the ends and horizontally polarized broadside.  
Therefore the orientation is important as each results in a different angle 
of radiation--an advantage of the inverted vee which I noticed as far back as 
1936 and am still alive to point out.  That's also why I suggest using 2 
inverted vees at right angles to each other and fed with equal length coaxes. 
 Feed either one or both in phase or 180 degree out for different patterns 
and coverage.  Or feed them 90 out of phase for the turnstile affect and 
great performance and reduction in QSB.  The inverted vee is a hell of an 
antenna and was first written up in 8/60 QST by some guy with a call of 
K7GCO.   

Or you can make 4 slopers off a tower with the shield (4 equal length coaxes 
preferably 91' 2" long or multiples) connected to it.  Selected anyone of the 
4 with a coax switch.  Selected any 2 for 4 vee inverted vee combo's or 2 
inverted vees but you will have a balanced coaxial 100 ohms feedlines which I 
feed with a Johnson Match Box and another technique I also use.  No other LF 
antenna offers this versatility.  It can be trapped for 160-40M also.  I have 
more combo's but the polarization versitility is the main thing I wanted to 
point out and have used it extensively.  If I ever get time and live long 
enough I plan to write this all up for a mag.  K7GCO

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