Topband: (more related question) How electrically tall is this tower please? (will it work on 160?) (long read)

[Jim Brown]

On Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:54:44 -0300, Mike & Coreen Smith wrote:

>If I have a local signal on 1.26MHz, is there any way I can use that as a 
>daytime reference as to which of my 2 antennas is working better? (low 
>loaded sloper vs. the SF tower itself?)

MANY variables, including the vertical and horizontal directivity of the 
antennas AND the propagation of horizontally and vertically polarized 
waves. 

Example: I have a 160M dipole at 100 ft that is broadside to the east coast 
(and to CO), and an 86 ft top-loaded Tee vertical with 60 radials. The ARRL 
160 contest begins at 2PM local time in California. During the daylight 
hours, I can work the stronger stations in WA and CO (roughly 800 miles) 
using the vertical, but I don't even get a "QRZ" on the dipole. This 
general condition persists for at least an hour or so after dark. I believe 
this difference (at least 10 dB) is related to propagation of horizontally 
and vertically polarized wavefronts. 

 AFTER that time, it's a toss-up based on propagation and directivity as to 
which antenna will work best to any given QTH. 

73