Good question. I don't think you mentioned any cost limit. Given that I would put up a substantial self supporting commercial tower ~ 130' tall. Solid legs, 5 or 6' face tapering to 1 or 2 feet. Pyrod or similar. I'd put a skirt on it, 3 vertical wires on insulated standoffs with horizontal loops bonded in, every 20' or so and plow in at least 100 quarter wave 160 m. radials around the tower base. Essentially a skirt fed 90 degree monopole on 1800 kc. skirt feed means the tower can be grounded and used for other purposes at the top -- whatever your interests are. Of course it would have to be sited to allow room for the ground system. Forget about anything horizontal or any kind of dipole on 160. I guess if you wanted to spend a lot, you could do a pair of these towers and phase them. You'll have solid towers you'll never be hesitant to climb; and never have to deal with guy cables, or a base insulator like you'd need with a guyed hot tower. You will get out unless the band is completely dead. It will be interesting to read what others come up with.
73 Rob K5UJ _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
