On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 13:03:16 -0500, "hasan schiers"
wrote:
Incidentally, over the weekend I tried to add a 40m wire parallel to the 80m
L...it was a complete failure. (I used a "fan" approach with 6" standoffs
for the 33' vertical wire). I thought I might get 2 fer 1 at the feedpoint,
but it just didn't work worth a darn.

Hi Hasan,

I must think that you were only slightly off in length, and that the
proximity, even at 6 inches, is still proximal.

Very low noise level, signals were
significantly weaker than my Carolina Windom 80 (on 40m) up 42'.

Not unlike many similar reports.

I did work
a few DX stations with it, but just not up to my expectations. A properly
performing 40m 1/4 w vertical over very good soil and a full radial field as
described in my prior message should have been outstanding. It wasn't.

Some of those same reporters suggest split operation where the
vertical is the radiator and a high horizontal is the receiving
antenna.

I wondered if I could EVALUATE the effectiveness of the 80m inverted L on
40m as a half wave, by temporarily taking an antenna tuner with wide range
(T-network matches almost anything) out to the feedpoint and matching it
there. If it hears well, and works ok at 300w (tuner limit), then it might
be worth investing in the coil/cap/relays to switch a more standard high-Z
feed in and out. What do you think?

I would encourage that, simply because you seem to be amenable to such
a path already. Gaining experience is always a noble work.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC