[VHFcontesting] VHFcontesting Digest, Vol 68, Issue 22

[MICHAEL SAPP]

PHANTOM PREAMPS

Ray: A preamp is only useful if the G/T ratio of your antenna is large 
enough (i.e. 3db beamwidth narrow enough and sidelobes small enough) to 
reduce noise sources other than from the direction where it is pointed. If 
you live in a high noise environment, it would make little difference shy of 
overcoming coaxial line losses or existing receiver inadequacies, especially 
given that your antenna is limited to being on the horizon for weak signal 
tropo.  Just make sure what you have installed as a home station is 
functional and working reasonably well. Sooner or later mother nature will 
drop a tropo, aurora, m/s, or e's opening in your lap. The trick is being 
around and having your modest equipment functional when that happens.  Most 
of the 30 plus states I have worked on 1296 MHz occurred in the "Great 
Thanksgiving Tropo Opening of 1986" (21st Central States VHF Proceedings, 
1987, pp34-41).  Be patient, stuff happens.  73  Mike WA3TTS