Before doing anything else, consider a more robust tuner at the base, that is a high-current area whether the antenna is 1/2 or 3/8 WL. A simple L network tuner with a #12 or #14 air-wound inductor and a variable capacitor with at least 1000V spacing will provide much better performance IMHO. You can very easily compare performance with the LDG with a simple RF Ammeter at the tuner output. I have the Z-11 Pro and even a fairly modest home brew manual tuner produces stronger currents at the base of my inverted L. I assume your deer fence is elevated, perhaps 6' or so, I'd consider installing some insulators along the span of the top wire around your lot at about the 50' point and add a couple more wires diagonally across the lot for a total of 4 50' elevated radials, even if they are asymmetric around the base of the vertical. Many have reported much better performance with length that approximates the vertical height of the L. Be open to other ideas from the group on the overall length adjustment, it has been discussed at length, no pun intended. Paul, K5AF In a message dated 1/5/2012 10:38:43 P.M. Central Standard Time, [email protected] writes: New to the list and new to 160M. I have a 1/4 wave Inverted L that I have finally got the bugs out of and it seems to be working fine. Vertical leg is 45' and horizontal run is 86' for a total length of 131'. Have a LDG Z11Pro auto tuner at base of pine tree that vertical leg runs up. 4:1 balun at base of vertical feeding RG-213 coax to shack. I have a 250', three strand Deer fence around the lot that I am using all three strands as my radial system.
--- Question is should I leave well enough alone or would I get better results on 160M by extending the horizontal leg, to 1/2 wavelength length?? 73 and Tnx Paul _______________________________________________ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK _______________________________________________ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
