[TowerTalk] 160M inverted L

[RICHARD BOYD]

At WP3R we have found that even a 200' beverage is very useful, definitely on 80 but also on 160.  Without it there would be lots of stations we couldn't copy; with it we can.

And despite the theory, at WP3R our 60' high inverted V works well (on a hilltop, admittedly) on transmit, and at (the old) KE3Q the inverted vee at 118' apex worked just about everything I could hear; receiving was more of a limiting factor.  Lots of people have trees that tall, or close to it, to use for a center support.  "Typical" tulip poplar trees here in Maryland are 115-120' and I know some locals who have 150' ones.  "Out west" I think there are conifers in that height range.  I have always used a "surf rod" to throw a couple ounce "sinker" over the top of the trees.  I'll soon be learning how to use my new slingshot for it instead.  Fishing rods require a lot of open area to throw from.

I have heard various savvy 160 people mention that there is a lot more high angle than people realize, even on DX signals, and propagation hops and/or "modes" that are yet to be understood, plus there are lots of relatively close stations to work on 160, W/VE in the 160 contests and Caribbean "DX," etc.  Even with a relatively low dipole or inverted V, especially with a KW, you will be loud lots of places.  And all you need to a DX station who has good receive capabilities is an S1 signal, not S9+, to be able to work him.  The serious 160 people are used to hearing and working the very, very weak signals.

Certainly if you can get a good inverted-L or fullsize vertical, or four-square, etc. all the better.

73 - Rich, KE3Q
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: kb9cry at comcast.net 
  To: Jerry Connelly 
  Cc: TowerTalk at contesting.com ; Jerry Connelly 
  Sent: Monday, December 01, 2003 8:23 AM
  Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] 160M inverted L


  All that dipoles do on 160M is to warm the clouds above your house.  I'd shunt feed the tower.  That's what I do and it's a killer.  Just remember that whatever you do, you'll want to investigate low band receiving antennas also.  You want vertically polarized, low angle of radiation transmit signal for 160M but that also will receive all the vertically polarized noise from around the area therefore the need for receiving antennas.  If you have no room for a beverage (500 ft. min per my experience) then investigate the loops, pennants, flags, etc.  I have a rotatable delta loop that works very well.  I can send some urls of info if you need.  Gd luck, Phil  KB9CRY
  > Hello all
  > I'm trying to get something up for 160m.  I've been using my 80m loop
  > and a tuner but its real hard to tune and not very effecient.  Maby when
  > I get my balanced tuner project done that won't be a problem but for
  > now it is.  Thinking about a 160m inverted L but space is still a problem.
  > I can support the vertical portion with my 40' tower and I have about 80'
  > from it to a tall wooden pole. Thats too short and too close but thats all I 
  > have to work with.  I try to avoid loaded antennas because of effeciency
  > but what if I added a helical loaded section near the end of the horizontal
  > leg (opposite end from the vertical segment)??  
  > I would end up with a 38' vertical section,  a 70' horizontal section and 
  > about a 5' section of helical loaded wire.  That gives me about 5' for rope
  > on the pole end.
  > Any thouights on this or should I go back to a low dipole or some commercial
  > vertical and live with it???
  > Thanks
  > JerryC
  > KC8TES
  >    
  >  
  > _______________________________________________
  > 

  > See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather 
  > Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions 
  > and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
  > 
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  See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.

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