You seem to be under the impression that an antenna fits into only one
of two categories, "works" and "doesn't work". That's the first mistake.

You also seem to believe that all the power you radiate goes in only one
direction or at one elevation angle. That's the second mistake.

Once you learn a little about the basic operation of antennas, and how
to interpret a radiation pattern, the answer to your question will
become clear.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

Ken Bessler wrote:
As I understand it, my dipole shoudn't work - it's flat
(non inverted V), it's laid out running east / west so
the radiation should be going north and south and it's
only 20-25 feet above ground.

The antenna is a coax fed (no balun), 220' long 80/160
trap dipole.

By my way of thinking, this antenna should almost be a
NVIS antenna.

If so, how did I manage a QSO with K7NN on 1.893
last night? Tuscon, AZ from Wichita, KS on 100w.
EM17ip to DM42li on 160m at 04:00z

Am I missing something here?