If anyone in this group is not yet on 160 because of limited space, or you are
using a crummy antenna on 80 meters, I want to share with you my recent
experience using an Inverted L and the K2AV FCP (Folded CounterPoise).
For the past few months I've been participating in the 40 and 80 meter "Fox
Hunt": Tuesdays are 40 meter hunts, Thursdays are 80 meter hunts. Each "hunt"
has two QRP Foxes calling "CQ Fox" in a 20 KHz segment of the band. The
"hounds" try to QSO the Fox, using 5 watts or less. The Fox duty is rotated
among several stations around the US. This past week had one of the Foxes
located in New Hampshire. For me, this was great, as I'm trying to get 5BWAS
and I need NH on 80 meters. Wasn't too optimistic that I'd be able to work this
NH Fox cross-country with 5 watts on 80 meters, but I gave it the old college
try. Darned if I didn't get him AND have him mention that I had a very strong
signal! Not only that, it appears that I was the only hound on the west coast
to bag him.
OK - the reason I'm posting this is that my antenna is pretty simple. I live in
an area that prohibits outdoor antennas, so my wires are pretty darn stealthy.
My 80 meter antenna is an Inverted L - 40 feet up along the trunk of a redwood
tree and about 21 feet or so horizontal. NO radials - I'm using an FCP mounted
about five feet off the ground.
If you are thinking about building an 80 or 160 meter antenna and have very
limited real estate for radials, consider the Inverted L and FCP - it appears
to work quite well!!
Jim / W6JHB
Folsom, CA
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Topband Reflector
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