[SECC] RX Antenna uses in Contesting

[Bill Coleman]

Sorry to reply to such an old message:

On Jan 17, 2010, at 5:30 PM, Michael Almeter wrote:

> If your maintaining a decent run from one direction (lets say South East), but the multipliers you need are in the North West, what do you? Continue the run with the antenna to the SE or possibly miss a few stations, and try to hear new mults with the antenna to the NW?

I think I learned this lesson at W4WA's place, where he had multiple beverage antennas. You don't leave the RX antenna pointed in one direction. You should be constantly switching it. Weak stations audible on one beverage would be completely absent on another. 

A K9AY is much more broad, but the same rule applies. Switch that RX antenna around.

> If you’re new on the band that is wide open, and everything is a new multiplier for you, what direction will you aim the antenna?

At that time, I may be using the TX antenna for receive. Depending on the contest, I may aim the RX antenna toward a major population center (EU for a DX contest, midwest for a domestic contest -- of course it also depends on what band it is and what side of sunrise / sunset we are)

> Out of curiosity, if you SO2R and only have 1 RX antenna, is it on your run or S&P radio?

I would put it on the Run radio. The RX antenna is most beneficial in working weak callers quickly. This is especially important when you have multiple weak callers. You don't want the pile "losers" to give up. If they see you are struggling to work someone, they may decide to move on.

The S & P radio is generally more about working louder Qs / Mults quickly.

And, unless you have a superstation, there are times when you can't run effectively, and will be S & Ping on one radio. The RX antennas would be nice then, too.


Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com
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