Today I decided to play with some of my recorded 160m QSOs from this season (I
record almost all of my QSOs).
I did a few experiments with isolating my diversity RX antennas to try and hear
the benefits of having a different antenna in each ear.
Because I record all of my QSOs in stereo, I was able to isolate each RX
antenna and listen to them individually, and then together in diversity mode.
There are many other references to the benefits of using Diversity RX, but for
those who have never tried it perhaps this one example will provide an example
of the diversity magic. However, this “magic” although almost always improves
copy and intelligibility, it's only on the ***very*** weak ones….think ESP…when
it really shines and this is the example I provide the audio link to. Please
be aware there is no point at all listening to this sound-file without
headphones because you wont get the diversity “brain filling magic", and also
the signal is so weak you wont hear anything. This is a typical “just bubbling
above the noise” 160m signal.
My edit method was to take the stereo recording and cut out the left channel
(Beverage) and right channel (9 circle RX array) and splice them sequentially
after the stereo recording of both channels.
The recording is of a QSO with Vlad RA4LW via the polar path and my edited clip
goes as as follows:
CQ DX (vlad answers) RA4LW RA4LW (i respond) RA4LW 449.
This is repeated 4 times: 1.) Diversity, 2.) Beverage only, 3.) 9 circle only,
4.) Diversity again.
I have selected this example because it is one of the best I have were I do NOT
think it is possible to copy Vlad's call on either of the RX individually,
while somehow, when they are heard together, the call gets “put together” and
is copiable. google link below and your sound player should play it.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NbFLFw2BRHC9DGfxJVfhnrBOx5ViD_4b/view?usp=sharing
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NbFLFw2BRHC9DGfxJVfhnrBOx5ViD_4b/view?usp=sharing>
On signals that are stronger, the diversity effect can help when one antenna
goes way down below the noise and the other comes up. Sometimes it can almost
make you dizzy as the signal goes from ear to ear. I have noticed this mostly
on 80m when using the 2 el Yagi and Beverages in diversity.
73, de steve ve6wz.
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