[Elecraft] Inverted L for 160 meters

[Lyn Norstad]

Jim, K9YC wrote:

> Lyn's expectations are modest. Many of us want to work 5,000 - 8,000 
> mile paths, which is what it takes to work 175 countries from W6 in 14 
> years -- it's FAR easier to work EU east of the MS river, and EU has FAR 
> more countries with active hams than AS and OC. I know -- I lived in IL. 
> One of my goals is QRP WAS. In about ten years, I still need VT and SC. 
> And I've got three 160M verticals, all using my tower as a passive 
> reflector to give me a few dB in three directions!

Well Jim, I should never object to being called "modest."  It could be a lot
worse.

But as an update to your Illinois recollections, propagation has changed
just a bit since your residency here in the '60s, '70s, '80s, etc.  The
Society of Midwest Contesters (https://www.w9smc.com/) recognizes the
Midwest ... lovely as it may be ... to be the infamous "Black Hole" when it
comes to dx-ing.  Virtually any coastal location runs circles around us when
it comes to the ease of making those exotic contacts (in fact many of our
SMC members spend a great deal of time in such locations in order to pursue
that rare DX).

That being said, when working within a limited budget (ham radio IS
important to me but it's not my whole life) and limited antenna options due
to HOA restrictions, I think my Extended Double Zepp performs exactly as I
hoped it would and pretty much maximizes the use of the space available.  At
its design frequency, it produces 4.7 dbi gain with exactly the radiation
pattern I want, namely N-S NVIS on 80 meters for statewide EmCOMM purposes,
E-W for 40m, Increasing numbers of lobes as we go up to 6 meters and thusly
becoming more omni. All are as desired. 

How does that compare to your Inverted-L? (Serious question ...)

I managed to work 125 countries (confirmed on LoTW) in less than 2 years,
and mostly with 50 watts or less.  I also managed to WAS on 160, 80, 40, 30
and 20 meters in the same time period.

My total cash outlay was less than $600, and my annual maintenance consists
of trimming a few over-eager tree branches. I feel good about that.

73
Lyn, W0LEN
"From The Black Hole"