[SCCC] Is F/B Ratio Really Important?

[Bob Selbrede, K6ZZ]

Folks,

How much important do you place on antenna Front to Back
ratio being in the South West US?  I suspect not nearly as
much as the folks in the Ceneral US and East Coast.  No
matter where you point from the Central US you have a
significant population of Hams off the back of the antenna
to cause QRM, etc.  On the East Coast you have most of the
US behind you causing QRM when pointing at EU.  For domestic
contests there is very little behind us to worry about.  For
DX contests the only real concern would appear to be NA QRM
when working Asia and the Pacific and to some extent EU Long
Path.  This would tend to make me think maximizing Front to
Back wouldn't be too high on the objectives list when
designing an antenna?

BK

Bob