160m inverted L Antenna
160m (1.8MHz) quarter wave, backyard, suburban, wire antenna
Suburban antenna for 160m.
Yes. It is possible to put up a quarter wave wire antenna for the 160m Ham band in a suburban backyard.
If you have a suitably located tree or two and/or a flagpole or like, then go for it. Try to get as much wire
in the air. It doesn't just have to be vertical. A long horizontal component will act as a capacity hat and
help get that current up the wire to where it can be radiated more effectively. It will definitely be better
than a single short vertical wire or mast.
I did manage to achieve this, after a long period of operating with a base loaded quarter wave vertical.
With the construction of a tilt over mast and some pulleys, I could run a wire length further - out to the
tree in the front yard, and higher. A real quarter wave. Add a few more radials....
More wire is better ...
What's better than a quarter wave? A fat quarter wave with more radials! So, now we add additional wires to both the vertical and the top section. This trick is often used when a solid construction is not possible nor cost effective. This also should be better, when trying to load up this antenna for the low bands......!
Initial 160m design.
160m single wire 1/4 wave antenna.
Modded 160m design.
Addition of two extra wires makes a difference!
Single wire 160m antenna
Earlier vesion using single stranded wire.
Top most connection.
Final end terminations on the spreader bar insultors.
Change in direction.
Another spreader bar with insulators at the mast end.
Transmitter end.
The three wires join here. Testing antenna with loading coil for 630m band.
Useful Links
- Keble's Trading website