[160m] SMALLEST 160 ANTENNA?

[Ford Peterson]

LJD writes:

> Checked the archives, didn't see this topic, so:
> =20
> what's the smallest antenna (any type) anyone's found
> useful?=20
> Especially one without loading coils, and/or without
> radials?
> =20
> Lookin' for options to keep Spousal Unit 'unriled.'=20
> :-)
> =20
> 73
> =20
> LJD

Wow!  Tough question.  How about this:

About 10' of nichrome wire.  Adjust length to 50 ohms @ 1.83MHz.  Place =
in open area and feed it LOTS of power.  Should be good for a couple of =
hundred miles.  Use a wire BCB type loop and place it on top of the rig =
for receive.  You would hear stuff, but the term "useful" throws me for =
a loop (pun intended).  I've got a friend about 10 miles from here that =
can hear my 1.843 2n2222 xtal oscillator running (mid-scale S meter =
reading) if I put an untuned piece of 10' wire on the output circuit of =
the buffer.

Your goals are mutually exclusive.  Bigness and 160M =3D performance.  I =
think I'd buy a dozen roses, take the XYL to dinner, and ask her if =
'size matters.'  When she looks at you, twinkles ,and says "why size =
doesn't matter dear."  Then say "great!" Proceed to tell her about the =
inverted L you intend to place in the middle of the back yard and the =
dimensions of the beverages you intend to place through 6 of your =
neighbor's front yards.

Just kidding of course.  That's a tough problem.  I'd go for a "L" or a =
Marconi "T" of some type.

Ford-N0FP
ford@cmgate.com