A vacuum variable for L impedance matching is unnecessary. Vacuum variable capacitors leak eventually. It take a long time for them to go through their ranges and you have to have the mechanics outside if you perform remote tuning, to sense or count turns to track when the v.v. is nearing its maximum or minimum. It is far far easier and faster to use an air variable that rotates freely. You only need to keep it sheltered.
Elevated radials are fine provided they are high enough to be decoupled from earth, which for most hams is difficult to accomplish on 160 m. 73 Rob K5UJ _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
