12/08/2008 | KI9A After loosing my big tree support for a 160 L a couple years ago in an ice storm, I put up a GAP Voyager vertical to help DX on 40/80 ( which it does FB!), and to get me on 160 again. Last year, I made over 400 QSO's, and missed WAS by ND and AK. But, I never really felt strong. So, this year, Friday was shot by a company Christmas party, so, Saturday AM, I went outside, and cut the 450 ohm ladder line feeding my 80 meter dipole @50', and shorted the ends together. I ran a seperate coax out to the antenna, and used the old L ground rod, and about 12 random length radials. The antenna loaded fine with the tuner, and on every signal, it was at least 3-4 S units better than the GAP. ( As expected). But, the GAP heard stuff the T did not...

I was on a total of 5 hours, and made well over 400 QSO's, with 68 sections, and 2 DX. I only S&P'd 4 stations out of the total, the rest called me. I felt louder than when I had the L up! Rates of almost 100/hr, for 5 straight hours is a blast from a small station, with a compromise antenna.

73- Chuck KI9A -- KI9A