Kevin:

Well, that's the beauty of this hobby--we can improvise when needed, and 
sometimes be pleasantly surprised by the results.

Last night, on the mid-west 160 meter net I checked into, I found that a 
number of folks had inverted L's, probably like the one you now use.

In fact, my antenna helper has suggested that, maybe someday, he'll help me 
build and put up one, so that could be something to look forward to when the 
weather gets warmer again.

Of course, by then, it will be Spring and eventually Summer, when 160 will 
be more difficult to use, but we can always look ahead to next Fall and 
Winter for the band to be usable again.

Anyway, thanks for sharing, Kevin, and will talk to you on the net later 
this afternoon.

73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kevin Nathan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2010 11:00 PM
Subject: Re: So, I'll do anything to get on 160 meters: Check this out


Hi Tom,

Sounds like things are working OK for you.  I think I might try the amp if
you wish and there shouldn't be any real repercussions.

I had message earlier today in reference to my comment about my first 160
meter antenna.  So, if you will indulge me, I'll tell you about it.

I was living in North Idaho and had built an 80 meter inverted Vee.  I fed
it with shielded 300 ohm twin lead and matched it with a home brew parallel
tuner I had built.  You had to clip alligator clips to the air wound
inductor equal distance either side of the link coil and tune the SWR out
with a capacitor.  This system worked great on 80 and 40 but I had just
gotten a new Kenwood TS-820 with 160 on it and wanted to try out the new
band.  So, I tried the old method of tying the two conductors of the twin
lead together and feeding it one side of the tuner.  It worked great even
though I didn't have a ground system and I talked all over the northwest
with it.

Now I am using a simple quarter wave inverted L, about 130 feet of wire, fed
about 8 feet off the ground and fed against 4 elevated counterpoises.  This
antenna works great and I have worked all continents with it on 160.

Keep on truckin Tom and enjoy.  Very 73.



Kevin :)
Amateur Radio:  K7RX