Topband: Low Dipole for RX?

[Tom Rauch]

> one night.  Maybe I didn't do the "low dpole" justice?  Thoughts,
> comments and specific configurations are desired.  (off line is best,
> I would expect?) 

Low dipoles, like any receiving antenna, primarily developes S/N 
ratio by antenna pattern.

In order to improve S/N ratio, it has to have a higher response in 
the direction of desired signal than undesired signals and noise. 

If the noise is mainly arriving at very low angles and the signal at 
high angles a low dipole can improve things, but like you I have 
never found that to be true here. I'm sure there are cases where it 
is true, but they would have to be cases with high local noise and a 
comparison antenna that responds well to the noise. I just don't have 
any local noise, so a low dipole is always a dog for receiving 
anything more than a few hundred miles away at my QTH.

Your mileage may vary, and it doesn't hurt to try something.    73, 
Tom W8JI
W8JI@contesting.com