[SEDXC] Working the JA's

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

Ed writes: 

> Avoid putting ANY yagi or antenna at multiples of .5 wavelength. The
> lobe creased straight up is enormous. Try at .625, .875, 1.125 for 
> example.

Multiples of 1/2 wave are fine, they provide a null straight up. 
You want to avoid ODD multiples of 1/4 wave (e.g., 1/4, 3/4, 5/4, 
etc.) they have very strong vertical lobes.  

This is one of the reasons that a 2 el 40 at 75 - 80 feet is often 
better than one at  100 - 110 feet.  Although the primary lobe is 
lower at the greater height, more power is going into the "useless 
lobe" and the high angle lobe also receives much more noise/QRM. 

> Another factor is the take off angle by itself. If you consider it
> takes X number of reflections from the Ionsphere to reach your 
> desired location, you need to put as much power as you can into 
> a lobe which will give you a minimum of bounces. 

An excellent tool for looking at take off angles is HFTA by Dean 
Straw.  It is included with the current ARRL Antenna Book. 

73, 

   ... Joe, W4TV