I don't disagree that being on the ocean makes verticals
play wonderfully. Makes most antennas play better, in fact.
What happens, though, is not gain. At some angles, you have
less signal, not more. There are two effects:
1) The antenna itself is more efficient, if right on the
water. (NOT if you're as much as 2 blocks back, in beach
sand or gravel, by the way) IR losses will still depend
upon the immediate ground system.
2) Much lower takeoff angles are enabled, which means fewer
ionospheric hops. This has spectacular results.
3) Many verticals, over common earth, are poor performers.
Mobile antennas are subject to all kinds of variables. Look
what happens in K2AV's case when he gets close to the ocean!
N2EA
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