Topband: New guy here. Low noise rx antenna for 1/2 acre lot?

[K9AY]

Subject: Topband: New guy here. Low noise rx antenna for 1/2 acre lot?


 I dont really care what the strength of the signals are with the antenna or 
its directivity - I just want a QUIETER antenna! I can use the preamp to 
bring the level back up. I would prefer something omni-directional so I can 
hear stations equally well in all directions, and that also makes installing 
it easier as well - no vertical elements to phase (plus I dont have the 
space for phased elements).
>
>  Steve, KC8QVO
____

Steve,

As W8JI and others have pointed out often -- antennas can only lower the 
noise through directivity. "Omnidirectional" and "lower noise" are mutually 
exclusive!

The first task is to identify the nature of your noise -- is it local or 
propagated? From what directions? Then you can figure out what noises to 
track down and/or what kind of pattern will work best in a directional 
antenna -- e.g. a single deep null, two nulls, front-to-back or 
front-to-side, etc.

Note that a large number of local noise sources can seem to be from 
"everywhere," raising your noise floor and limiting the improvement (based 
on my personal experience in suburbia!).

73, Gary
K9AY