[TowerTalk] Re: Why Are Some Stations Stronger When 20m Dies?

[DavidC]

I really appreciate all of the responses to my question!

I apparently was unclear in my original post since many
responded that it was merely an issue of propagation ...
but none could explain why that might be so.

Consider the context that I presented:

1.  The Source stations are believed to be in Mexico (or thereabouts).
2.  The Receiving stations are in Both NH and FL.
3.  The Spanish speaking Ham stations are exclusively strong
     when US stations from coast to coast have all but vanished.

Why would not a South Texas Source be equally strong in NH and FL 
as the "Mexico" Source?  Why are only the "Mexico" Source stations
so uniquely strong to both NH and FL?  I heard the same anomaly in NH 
as I now hear in FL.  Abusively high power has been suggested by some
as the explanation.  Could it be that these stations are really only using
better antennas or benefit from some unique geographic-propagation
anomaly to NH & FL that *no* US station benefits from?

As for the larger issue of lengthening band openings the addition of a
quad and a vertical to the 20m antenna mix, perhaps at different heights,
has been recommended.  Adding a second beam at a lower height has
also been recommended.

I have heard some of these recommendations before.

Has a careful study been conducted of this to document an optimum mix 
of antennas for this specific purpose?  I have only read here of two and 
three beam stacks but not of the possible value of verticals, quads, delta 
loops and other antenna configurations at various heights to also lengthen 
communication time at the edges of propagation fade.  Perhaps I missed
such a discussion?

- Thanks! & 73, DavidC  K1YP in Hudson, FL


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