Topband: Signal source and distance from antenna?

[Mike & Coreen Smith]

Hi All,

Been trying a number of compromise antennas on 160m lately and besides SWR, 
it's difficult until the nightime signals come "rolling in" to determine 
which one works best.  Even then, with QSB it's a tough call at times.

I have a loud 1.260MHz AM BCB stn 10 miles away which is 40-50dB over 9, but 
other than that, I don't really have anything else closeby to TopBand to use 
as a signal source to determine if my antenna(s) are/is working well or not.

I do have an MFJ-259 SWR analyzer which will put out a very weak signal that 
can be heard about 100'-200' away using a 2' whip antenna, but I get 
conflicting results with it.  I suppose fencing, power lines, 
clothelines,underground power for lighting, direction of antennas (sloper, 
inverted L, shunt fed loaded tower) all conspire against me to skew the 
results and confuse me.  <Sometimes I'll move the MFJ 30' and one antenna 
seems 6-12dB better than the other for instance.....move it 30' in another 
direction and the other is better, sigh.>

What do YOU guys use to determine which antenna works better or if you've 
made an improvement in gain, null, signal strength, etc. during the 
daytime, -and- how far away does this source have to be?  (I don't like the 
thought of driving a mile down the road, installing a 30' vertical antenna 
on my analyzer (so it can be heard a mile away), then leaving it unguarded 
for someone to swipe, HI HI !)

73 de Mike VE9AA


Mike, Coreen & Corey Smith
699 Rte 616 Keswick Ridge
NB
Canada
E6L 1T1