[UK-CONTEST] Top Band Antenna

[G4MKP]

Sorry, that was from:

 

Terry

G4MKP

 

  _____  

From: G4MKP [mailto:g4mkp at blueyonder.co.uk] 
Sent: 03 December 2008 13:47
To: 'UK-Contest at contesting.com'
Subject: Top Band Antenna

 

Top Band Antenna

 

Whilst I turned in a respectable score for CQWW CW I don't have a top band
antenna and consequently missed many mults. I have several books on antennas
and have tried mostly horizontal efforts that haven't really cut it. I would
be interested in any suggestions for 'reasonable' size antennas that will at
least make all EU zones and countries. I would of course like to hit the 3
pointers in the US but realise the limitations of my small plot. In nearly
30 years of operating I doubt that I have more than 50 Q's in the log for
160m.

 

I currently use an inverted L for 80m with 6 ground radials and this works
very well with over 500 Q's in the bag on this band alone during CQWW. My
garden is approx 15m deep and 25m wide. I would prefer to make my own rather
than pay through the nose for something that may not be suitable once the
box is opened and the chance of a refund is gone. I wouldn't want any
vertical antenna to exceed 10m in height.

 

The 160m requirement is only for contesting - in fact all of my antennas are
used just for contesting apart from the odd juicy bit of dx. I would like to
be able to use maximum permitted power and work SO2VFO which could be any
combinations of bands but I guess that 160-80 or 160/40 are the likeliest
combinations.

 

I have a reasonably well equipped workshop that includes an antenna
analyser. However, I am not a craftsman so nothing too complicated.

 

Ideas please?