[TowerTalk] Can take-off angle be too low?

[Tonno Vahk]

Hi, I would like to hear your opinions about that topic. I have found many
contradictory thoughts on it and very few clear and reasoned statements
really.

How important is it to have the ability of running very low elevation angles
in upper HF contesting? How much does it add to the score if one can run 10
meters with beams higher than 200 feet and get the take-off angle down to
2-3 degrees? Here assuming one has also lower beams available. N6BV
statistics actually indicate the high theoretical QSO precentage at 1-3
degrees. To my mind it contradicts the somewhat common opinion that low
angles get very little use. Would an efficient solution be to have one stack
at 230 feet (e.g. 5/5) and one at low height if there was so high tower
available to be able to open the band early, be strong meanwhile and close
it late? All this having flat ground in mind for simplicity.


73s Tonno ES5TV
t.vahk@hansa.ee

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