Roger, Ive been at this QTH since 2009. Use #14 solid copper (insulated) through the top corner insulator. It started out as a 20 ft tall, 1/4 wave for TB with a single ground rod and no radials. That first winter with 100w I worked a 4X4 , an LZ, and a JA. I was stunned.
Over the years as the tree grew, so did the vertical portion of my L. So of course the bend moved. For the past 5 years its been a 52 ft vertical leg, with, now 26 radials on the ground. So far no broken wires (other than the radials my John Deere would chew up. So I now coil up my radials during lawn mowing season and hang them from the lower branches of my black walnut tree - until next topband season. However, the non-radialed TB L still works lots of dx during spring summer and fall including VK/ZL/JA, EU/Africa/S.A. during lawn mowing season thanks to the good midwestern soil we have hr in Ohio. _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
