My friend Steve, W3AHL is a good modeler. He took my basic wish for a good
160m vertical and designed elevated radials to fit.
Much as described in one of the recent postings, Steve recommended four 75'
radials seven feet above ground, tuned with a coil in the common connection.
Each was tuned against the 60 ft vertical element. The T top load is 132 ft
long.
The vertical element is ladder line, not shorted at the top, so the antenna
makes a great 80m dipole, when matched at the bottom with an L network.
This was all done in anticipation of Bouvet Island getting on, but it's been
fun anyway. I work EU with 100W and JA and ZL with a few hundred and am up to
70 countries, with just casual effort.
I'd do better if I put up some Beverages, since I have email reports from
people who have heard my CQ but been unable to reach me.
With 800W, the far ends of the radials are hot enough to char the bark, if they
touch a tree. Electric fence insulators fixed that.
This is by far the best antenna I've ever built and has produced a lot of fun.
Thanks Steve!
Wilson
W4BOH
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