----- Original Message -----
From: "Tree" <tree@kkn.net>
To: <topband@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, September 05, 2011 10:22 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: New entry to TopBand with antenna question
>> I've been a ham for 37 years, but I've spent my entire ham "career" on
>> 80-10m (with the exception of 7 countries worked on 160m about ten years
>> ago). For the most part, the same obstacle has kept me off TopBand that
>> prevents most - antenna space.
>>
>> My goal is simple - make DXCC on 160m within the next 2 years.
>>
>
>
> Hi Mike - welcome to the topband reflector and 160 meters.
>
> I think the first thing would be to turn you 90 degrees and get you
> thinking
> vertically. Most any modest vertical with a decent ground system will
> kick
> the pants off any horizontal piece of wire.
>
> If you are able to get a wire up about 60 or 70 feet - then an inverted L
> antenna will be an excellent choice. Essentially it is a half piece of
> wire
> - with half of it vertical and it acts like a top loaded vertical. This
> and
> a couple of beverages if you can manage (and a KW) should put you in
> excellent position to work DXCC quickly.
>
> The Cushcraft 160 meter vertical also works well. I have worked VK6 from
> Oregon with 100 watts with one of these. However, an inverted L antenna
> will work even better.
>
> See you in the pileups.
>
> Tree N6TR/7
---------------------
Never discount the ability of a low horizontal to do amazing things at times
on 160. This not to replace the vertical but to augment it. Wire and a coax
switch is cheap. Many on here remember the 50' apex and 3' ends of the
inverted vee I had here 20-22 years ago. It was especially good at dawn and
on very deep paths to the Antartic region.
Carl
KM1H
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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