The pattern is the same no matter how an antenna is fed. In terms of height vs pattern, here's a few reference points for height in wavelengths for a horizontal radiator to better quantify the "higher is better" rule (at least for working DX):
1/8 to 1/4 wave: About 6 dBi gain straight up. But it's a very broad lobe, wider at 1/4 wave, which is why people work DX with such an antenna. The gain is about 1 dBi at 20 degrees above the horizon. That's about the same pattern as a 1/4 wave vertical over a good ground system. Bottom line, at 1/4 wave up, you can work DX with it although higher is better, for example: 1/2 wave: main lobe at 25-30 degrees about 8 dBi. It's fairly broad with gains of about 3 dBi at about 10 and 50 degrees. 1 wave: main lobe at 14 degrees, about 8 dbi, fairly narrow with a secondary lobe nearly as strong at about 50 degrees 2 wave: lowest angle lobe at 7 degrees, about 8 dBi with multiple lobes at about 25, 30 and 60 degrees. 73, Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- N0AZZ wrote > Another question what seems to be a minimum height for the Par to be > effective? Yes I know higher is better trying to get a handle on this > for an end fed. I have no experience with this type of antenna and > thinking of field use and supports. Fred, in terms of angle of radiation versus height, it will behave similar to a dipole. If you can get it up a half wavelength or higher in the air, great, but it will work well only a quarter wave off the ground (with higher angle of radiation). If the ground slopes down in the direction of propagation, it doesn't have to be high at all. I used it once on a mountain summit about 6ft off the ground and it worked like gangbusters. 73, Barry N1EU -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/OT-On-the-subject-of-best-portable-ante nnas-tp7569259p7569271.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
