Topband: S9SS On 160

[Thomas Giella KN4LF]

Antenna polarization plays a large role in the success of a long haul DX contact. As a medium frequency RF signal traverses Earth's magnetic lines of force in a perpendicular manner on high and mid latitude paths say between W3 land and SM, higher angle horizontally polarized signals are more readily absorbed then lower angle vertically polarized signals. On other propagation paths on the globe opposite results can be found, i.e. horizontally polarized signals suffer less absorption on a propagation path between VK6 and W6 or S9 and W4.

Southern U.S. QTH's like Florida and New Mexico to S9 may be better via higher angle horizontally polarized antennas. The N.E. U.S. probably elliptical polarization via an inverted L. Higher latitudes via a vertical. Of course though what complicates the matter is that RF often changes polarization as it's is refracted. 

Magneto Ionic Power Coupling expert Bob Brown NM7M has a good educational post on this bugaboo on the May 2002 Topband Reflector. The thread can read in it's entirety by going to this link http://lists.contesting.com/_topband/2002-05/msg00087.html .

73 & GUD DX,
Thomas F. Giella, KN4LF
Space & Atmospheric Weather Forecaster
Plant City, FL, USA
Grid Square EL87WX

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