Why the EFHW Inverted L for 160/80m Outperforms a 20m Vertical on 80m

Many radio amateurs still believe that a classic 1/4 wave vertical is the gold standard for DX on 80 meters. But when comparing it to a well-designed EFHW Inverted L for 160/80m, the reality changes dramatically. Even when both antennas have their vertical portion at the same height, the Inverted L brings multiple advantages to the table.

Capacitive Nature of the EFHW Inverted L

The EFHW Inverted L is a top-fed antenna that presents a high impedance and relies on a 68:1 transformer. Its overall length (typically about 81 meters for a true 160m halfwave, which naturally spans 76 to 82 meters and covers both 160 and 80 meters when fed as an EFHW) makes it resonant on both 160m and 80m. The L-shape, with a vertical and a horizontal component, introduces capacitive top-loading. This has two main consequences:

  • Improved Current Distribution: The horizontal wire acts as a capacitive hat, improving the current distribution along the vertical section and keeping the current maximum lower to the ground.
  • Reduced Ground Losses: The improved current taper and capacitive effect reduce the amount of current that must return via lossy ground paths, improving radiation efficiency.

This makes the Inverted L not only effective for 160m but highly efficient on 80m as well. It even has a slight edge in gain compared to a classic 1/4 wave vertical, thanks to its lower ground losses and improved current distribution.

Ground Losses in the 1/4 Wave Vertical

A traditional 1/4 wave vertical for 80m is about 20 meters long and must be installed with a good radial system to perform well. However:

  • High Ground Current: The feedpoint is at a current maximum right at ground level, where ground losses are highest.
  • Efficiency Heavily Depends on Radials: Even 32 radials only recover part of the lost efficiency; the rest goes into heating the earth.
  • Narrow Vertical Pattern Only: This is great for DX, but useless for local NVIS-style traffic.

The Inverted L: DX and NVIS in One

The EFHW Inverted L has a hybrid pattern thanks to the horizontal wire:

  • Low Angle Radiation from the Vertical Part: Ideal for DX and long-haul QSOs.
  • High Angle Radiation from the Horizontal Part: Perfect for NVIS and short-range communication.
  • One Antenna, Two Functions: It replaces both a vertical and a dipole.

Practical Deployment Advantages

  • Feedpoint at 2 to 4 meters above ground: Helps reduce interaction with ground losses and simplifies installation.
  • No Radials Needed: The EFHW doesn’t rely on a ground-mounted radial field. It uses the high impedance and voltage feed to minimize ground currents.
  • Easier Matching: With a proper 68:1 transformer and a modest tuner, it tunes easily across the band.
  • Can Be Installed Anywhere: Works well even in small gardens, off trees, or rooftops.

Real-World Results

Multiple contest and DX stations report superior performance of Inverted L EFHWs over traditional verticals. Despite being counterintuitive to textbook ideas, real-world A/B tests confirm:

  • Better signal reports on DX paths
  • Stable SWR and multi-band capability
  • Less noise pickup thanks to reduced ground interaction

Conclusion

The EFHW Inverted L for 160/80m isn’t just a compromise antenna. It outperforms the classic 1/4 wave vertical in both DX efficiency and versatility. The capacitive effect of the horizontal section improves current distribution and reduces losses. And unlike the vertical, you get NVIS propagation “for free.”

If you’re still clinging to that vertical for 80 meters, maybe it’s time to turn the L into your new favourite letter in the alphabet of DX.

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Written by Joeri Van Dooren, ON6URE – RF, electronics and software engineer, complex platform and antenna designer. Founder of RF.Guru. An expert in active and passive antennas, high-power RF transformers, and custom RF solutions, he has also engineered telecom and broadcast hardware, including set-top boxes, transcoders, and E1/T1 switchboards. His expertise spans high-power RF, embedded systems, digital signal processing, and complex software platforms, driving innovation in both amateur and professional communications industries.