I was going to consider using the existing system of open ladder line and the "sort of" VEE and convert to a "T". THEN the vertical component would be 70 feet long. But there was feedback that the coax for the Yagi and the rotor wires would interact and bring RF into the shack or distort the pattern. (TRUE or FALSE?)
Only if those items aren't properly decoupled on 160 meters. Some pattern distortion may occur, but is it enough to worry about? Probably not. Since the tribander is above the T, it may provide some additional top loaded or be out of the picture all together.
I even thought of running a separate antenna supported by another pulley and making an "L" with the horizontal wire running perpendicular to the VEE. Interaction should be minimal (TRUE or FALSE?)
How far apart will the two antennas be? Being perpendicular will help with interaction. Also, if the V is not resonant on or near 160 meters, interaction should be reduced/minimized.
Which direction would yous guys go?
What is the reason for the Inverted-L (IL) or making the V a T? Is this to get you on 160 meters, or to give you a better long distance antenna for 160? If you are just interested in AM rag chews on 160, the V is probably as good as it gets (assuming it works on 160). If you want some DX coverage, the T or IL will be better (only if you put in a good ground system).
Since most of the work will be installing the ground system, there's probably not much difference whether you go with the T or the V. The T will require you to disconnect the open-wire line at the ground level and short the portion still connected to the antenna. Then a tuner will be required and a coax run back to the shack. This will not allow tuning from the shack. However, if you tune the thing up for 1.9 MHz, you should be able to cover most of the 160 meter band without excessive SWR or loss.
The feed arrangement for the L will be simpler, just a series cap. Once again, tune it for 1.9 MHz and you can cover most of the band. Or if you think most of your operation will be below 1.9 MHz, tune it for 1850 or 1875 or such. A little extra work will be required to put up the L, but it's offset by a more simple fed and switching arrangement compared to the T. Also, if you go with the 3/8 to 5/16 wavelength L, you will get some higher angle radiation (the horizontal portion of the L will radiate). This can make the L a decent performer for both near and far contacts, although, my guess is the V will beat it for closer in contacts. In contrast, if everything is symmetrical on the T, you will have almost no high angle radiation, with a near null straight up (90 degrees elevation). Theory shows this and I've seen it when I ran my dipole in Baltimore as a T antenna. Once when I was on the T, I could barely hear Paul, WA3VJB (about 10-15 miles away). When I switched back to the dipole configuration, he was full strap.
So, I would lean towards the L, since it is likely to be a little more versatile than the T, and the tuning/switching arrangement would be simpler. But that's just me.
