While working on the plans for RX antennas at my new QTH, it occurred to me
that I really don't know which way to point them for optimum coverage.
I have no experience (yet) operating topband from this high latitude and am
wondering about skewing caused by the auroral zone. Let's take Europe as an
example. My new QTH is approximately 47.5° N and 119.7° W (DN07). The
bearing to the north magnetic pole is 17.5°. The bearing to Europe is 30°
+/- 15°. Can I expect the dominate path, when there is one, to be straight
"short path" or will there be significant skewing most of the time? If
there is skewing, which way would it be?
ON4UN touches on this question in "Low Band DX'ing". Assuming I didn't
misread or misunderstand, John offers information from somewhat lower
latitude west coast USA stations indicating the skew may be as much as
40-50° south during high Aurora conditions. Is it safe to assume that
similar skew would occur for higher latitudes. How about during minimal
Aurora conditions? As we progress towards the cycle minimums, does the
skew, if any, disappear?
Never in the 40+ years I've been on topband have I had the space to put up
a RX antenna with a small enough beamwidth to consider problems like this!
Thanks & 73,
Larry - W7IUV
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