Topband: My Turn For a Brain Pick - Sanity Check

[Tom W8JI]

>I think your too close to tell, or just coupling into every thing around
> there.

I get good F/B on arrays I test, even within a wavelength or two. As long as 
the elements are reasonable length (under 1/2 wave) and spacing reasonable, 
the pattern should be formed up almost totally by somewhere around ten times 
the widest element spacing. With two elements and 1/4 wave spacing, that's 
just two-three wavelengths (80-120 meters) away.

As a matter of fact, it is usually better to test at a closer distance than 
out at the fringe of groundwave.

There must be some problem with the system. Perhaps inadequate radials, 
coupling from element to element through radials, or too much other stuff 
making the array not work.

73 Tom