Eric:
I test receiving antennas out of season most of the time, since it is
easier to work on them when it is warm outside. I use expanded AM band
(1600-1700 kHz) stations to check the front to back on my two wire
bidirectional
beverages since these stations operate very close to the 160 meter band.
There
are not a whole lot of them in the US so it easier to isolate one in a
particular direction to test the front to back on the antenna. The only
problem I
see with your living in the DC area is that there will be no domestic expanded
band stations to your east. But at least you can check the "receivability"
of your antennas and get an idea of the front to back of your antenna by using
stations to the south, west, and north from your QTH.
You can probably find a list of expanded band stations by browsing around
the FCC's web site. I have a printed list that we download at work each month
from the FCC. I keep it on hand here at home, for just this purpose.
73..................de Goose, W8AV
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