Topband: Topband resource

[Jim Brown]

On 1/14/2020 11:08 AM, Mike Waters wrote:
> Low, horizontally polarized antennas are usually good for distances within
> a few hundred miles. However, 160 needs vertical polarization for
> consistent long DX.

The common myth that a dipole should be low for short distance work is 
simply not true. Indeed, the optimum height for high angle radiation 
(NVIS) is a quarter wave (120 ft on 160M) and only 2 dB down from that 
at 3/8 wave (180 ft on 160M). More important, raising a horizontal 
dipole or Yagi from a quarter-wave high to a half-wave high is good for 
almost 6 dB for vertical angles below 40 degrees!

See slide 19 and following in

http://k9yc.com/VertOrHorizontal-Slides.pdf

73, Jim K9YC