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Re: Topband: VP2VI topband

To: jim@audiosystemsgroup.com
Subject: Re: Topband: VP2VI topband
From: Don Kirk <wd8dsb@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2025 17:03:31 -0400
List-post: <mailto:topband@contesting.com>
Hi Jim,

I live in a deed restricted area so I keep things to a bare minimum and
that’s why I don’t top load (or center load) my 68 foot vertical wire that
hangs straight down from a massive Sycamore tree.  I’ve considered turning
it into an inverted L for TX efficiency but too many trees make it a very
difficult proposition.  After getting DXCC on 160 meters and way more
running 100 watts I really just play around except I do take 160 meter
contests pretty serious.

Also my base loaded 68 foot vertical makes it perfect for use on 80 meters
as I run DC over coax to control relays at the base to bypass most of the
loading coil (I actually use part of the loading coil as an L matching
network on both 80 and 160 meters).

I would love to be as loud as my good friend Mike (W9RE) on 160 meters but
that’s impossible based on his amazing antenna farm so I just sit back and
take a beating from him in 160 meter contests when we both run 100 watts:),
plus my receiver dynamic range is not adequate as my main transceiver
(TS-180s) is now over 45 years old so I’m definitely at a big disadvantage.

73,
Don wd8dsb

On Sun, Apr 20, 2025 at 3:59 PM Jim Brown <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com> wrote:

> On 4/20/2025 11:55 AM, Don Kirk wrote:
> > my
> > 68 foot base loaded vertical for TX
>
> Hi Don,
>
> Does your QTH allow you some form of top loading? It can improve TX
> efficiency by a few dB if you can pull it off.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
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