I enjoy experimenting with wire antennas. There are many wire antennas that have good gain characteristics. Between Feb 5, 2006 and March 22, 2008 I have worked 216 DXCC stations using wire antennas. Not bad considering it was during the bottom of the propagation cycle.

For 80 and 160M I use an Extended Double Zepp cut for 80M (332 feet long). It does a wonderful job especially on 40M and 80M. The surprise antenna is what I use for 10M-20M. It is called a "Lazy H". I get excellent reports with it and it receives really well. I often get e-mail from hams unfamiliar with the Lazy H asking how to construct it.

For more about the Lazy H click on this link: Building A Lazy H Antenna.

Try one - you wont be disappointed.

The QTH is an ideal location for ham radio. Just a few miles from the ocean and right on the edge of a lake. The ground is mostly wet and sandy with no rock and metallic particles that can affect the way the antennas radiate. The take off angles are quite low and the skip is long.

Before moving here I lived in New York City and I have had antennas on the roof of high rise apartment buildings. My antennas were 250ft up and still I seem to get out better here by the shore with my antennas up 50 ft. With plenty of room to work with I can put up just about anything I want. Did I hear someone say Rhombic? Presently I have plans which include 333 foot long antennas, 160 horizontal loops and various vertical antennas such as a 4 square.