Enjoying the discussion!
Although this is an "HF" question, let me add my 2c about the Magic 50MHz
band as well.
(I've been on HF though since '78 & 6M since '91)
On 6m I almost always have had multiple antennas. I find that most of the
time, my highest one works best, whether it be Es, AU, backscatter, MS,
Tropo, Sidescatter, F2, multi-hop Es, EME, Au-Es etc. etc.
HOWEVER not always. With 6 meters, a lot of my "fun" is derived from
building various antennas and working new countries.
That "fun" is increased when I see how many more distant signals I can pull
out of the mud using a different antenna.
Currently I have 6 separate modest 50MHz antennas. At various times and
various paths and propagation modes, each of them has proven to be the best
at one time or another.
I know "HF only" guys tend to get into a mindset where there is only ONE
mode of propagation and that's it. (F2)
The astute 6m readers here know this is not the case, and no doubt have a
decided "edge" on HF when they know to look
for other modes of prop, rather than plain jane single Hop F2. Sometimes I
run into people who think a certain antenna is magic, no matter what the
mode, arriving angle or whatever.
It simply isn't so.
I echo the sentiments of those that have said "multiple antennas".
They couldn't be more right.
de VE9AA...118 Countries & 50 States on 6 Meters.
Michael, Coreen & Corey Smith
(VE9AA, VE9AAA & Baby-VE9)
271 Smith Rd
Waterville, NB
E2V 3V6
Canada
http://members.tripod.com/~ve9aa/index.html
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/2174/
----- Original Message -----
From: "Earl Dery" <VE7IN-Earl@shaw.ca>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2002 8:56 PM
Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] Are higher HF antenna's really better?
>
> One can also look in the Archives. I believe there have been posts from
> people telling of their observations at larger stations of what they were
> hearing at particular times, and which antenna setup seemed to be the best
> performer. The one that sticks in my mine(although the details don't right
> now) were observations posted by George K5TR, who has had the opportunity
> to have operated in some of the larger 5 Area Stations.
>
> I personally believe that No Two Locations are the same, what will work at
> one place will not necessarily work at another. I usually try encourage
> someone who is putting up their first Tower/Antenna to try to get to 70
> feet if possible, reason: about 1 wavelength on 20, 1.5 on 15 and 2
> wavelengths on 10(which at times maybe to high as mentioned by others).
>
> I know for myself here with a single 20 at 132 feet that I am sure at
times
> that I am not hearing some of the callers. This year I hope to finally fix
> that by adding in a 20 at about the 60 foot level, for me the opposite on
> 15 and 10 these antennas are at 45 and 35 feet, I am convinced that
> certainly towards Europe I would benefit from additional height.
>
> I always enjoy these types of questions and the following discussions,
they
> help to give insight why one may try one thing as opposed to another.
>
> I hope others will post their observations when having a choice of
> antennas at different heights.
>
> 73 Earl VE7IN
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
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>
> -----
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>
>
________________________________________________________________________
This list is sponsored by the new eHam.net Store. When you buy products
like ICE filters, Array Solutions StackMatch, or M-Squared Antennas from
the eHam Store for the same price you pay direct, a portion of the sale
price goes to support this list. Check it out at http://www.eham.net.
-----
FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
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