Hi Chuck,
I have both a full size transmitting 4-square and a W8JI BSEF
8-circle array using 25 foot low impedance passive umbrella
verticals. There are no active electronics in the W8JI's BSEF
8-circle array, unlike the Hi-Z array.
While the transmitting array is an excellent receiving antenna,
I can verify that the 8-circle is superior in some situations
apparently because of its much narrower beamwidth. I'm sure
the Hi-Z array would provide similarly excellent performance.
I have completed QSOs with very weak DX stations that could
not have been completed with the 4-square or my Beverages.
For a contester its very important to have an alternative antenna to
the 8-circle array. Its 3 dB beamwidth is so narrow (about 45
degrees) that you won't hear some off-azimuth callers. Normally
I use the Beverages for receiving and switch to the 8-circle array
only when needed.
73
Frank
W3LPL
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chuck Dietz" <w5prchuck@gmail.com>
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2017 6:26:41 PM
Subject: Topband: RDF for Transmit 4 Square vs 8 Circle Array
I was always told that, if one had a 4 square, there would be no need for a
receive array. I am finding this to be untrue when looking at the list of
RDFs. (Receive Directivity Factor) I have snooped through the archives
reading about RDF.
Can anyone verify this from actual experience? Can you actually hear stuff
on an 8 Circle that can't be heard on the transmit 4 square? I would think
the difference might be more than marginal with the difference in RDFs of
2.48 db. I'm not sure of the difference in takeoff angles. That could be
important too.
As a practical matter, the 8 Circle is huge and expensive for a single
band antenna...
Chuck W5PR
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