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[SECC] RX Antenna uses in Contesting

Subject: [SECC] RX Antenna uses in Contesting
From: aa4lr at arrl.net (Bill Coleman)
Date: Sat, 22 May 2010 11:36:07 -0400
Sorry to reply to such an old message:

On Jan 17, 2010, at 5:30 PM, Michael Almeter wrote:

> If your maintaining a decent run from one direction (lets say South East), 
> but the multipliers you need are in the North West, what do you? Continue the 
> run with the antenna to the SE or possibly miss a few stations, and try to 
> hear new mults with the antenna to the NW?

I think I learned this lesson at W4WA's place, where he had multiple beverage 
antennas. You don't leave the RX antenna pointed in one direction. You should 
be constantly switching it. Weak stations audible on one beverage would be 
completely absent on another. 

A K9AY is much more broad, but the same rule applies. Switch that RX antenna 
around.

> If you?re new on the band that is wide open, and everything is a new 
> multiplier for you, what direction will you aim the antenna?

At that time, I may be using the TX antenna for receive. Depending on the 
contest, I may aim the RX antenna toward a major population center (EU for a DX 
contest, midwest for a domestic contest -- of course it also depends on what 
band it is and what side of sunrise / sunset we are)

> Out of curiosity, if you SO2R and only have 1 RX antenna, is it on your run 
> or S&P radio?

I would put it on the Run radio. The RX antenna is most beneficial in working 
weak callers quickly. This is especially important when you have multiple weak 
callers. You don't want the pile "losers" to give up. If they see you are 
struggling to work someone, they may decide to move on.

The S & P radio is generally more about working louder Qs / Mults quickly.

And, unless you have a superstation, there are times when you can't run 
effectively, and will be S & Ping on one radio. The RX antennas would be nice 
then, too.


Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
            -- Wilbur Wright, 1901


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