Antenna systems generally emerge organically–constrained by property boundaries and the position of trees or other elements to elevate them. Fifteen years ago my choice was simple, to stretch along some rope between the 2 tallest trees on my one third of an acre property. Along with my amplifier, a 134′ doublet served this task well. The 90 feet tall tree in the back is now gone— removed due to rot and decline. And then, a decade has expired between when I was active in amateur radio and when I have jumped back into it now! This means a little bit more planning…
My thinking since re-entering the ham sphere in February 2026 has been to layout a design plan that incorporates many of the existing tall trees on the boundaries of my property, with the mandate to place them as close as possible to North and South and East and West broadside orientations. Below is a chart based on a land survey to what I have arrived at today.
Each of these antennas are solid performers, and depending upon floor noise and direction give me great coverage. Now, I need to figure out how to configure a 160 meter ground loop–and perhaps convince my XYL to believe that a vertical antenna is not an ugly nuisance in the back yard!
