Topband: How Good is Good Enough?

[N1BUG]

> If you need a preamp on any Beverage you have a problem IMO. Its too long,
> poorly terminated or there is a lot of feedline loss.

Or you've been forced into some other bad situation.

I have a local noise problem that is beyond my control. 
Unfortunately I can't afford the DXE noise canceller so I got an 
MFJ. With my ~600 foot Beverages as main antenna and a very short 
vertical as the aux antenna it will completely null the noise (on 
most Beverages). Unfortunately with its high noise floor I lose 
several dB S/N unless I use a preamp ahead of it.

My Beverages have lower signal output than most in some directions, 
since they are reversible using WD-1A wire (lossy as a transmission 
line).

Not everyone can construct an ideal station, but even with all these 
problems it is far better than not having Beverages at all.

The bottom line is using a preamp buys me several dB S/N I cannot 
get any other way (only when using the noise canceller).

Paul