On Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 4:26 PM, ZR <[email protected]> wrote: > I would think that with optimized F/R for your Beverages that at least one > path would be somewhat quiet. >
They do indeed sometimes help reduce the QRN from some thunderstorms, particularly if they are in a nearby state (higher angle) and perpendicular to the desired direction. But they are only 580' (1λ on 160 and a 3 dB beamwidth of 90 degrees). And I do have one Beverage that seems to have a degraded F/B ratio, and I need to go out there and check it out. What I need are longer Beverages. I could put up 900' Beverages in some directions here. Or better yet, two parallel Beverages staggered end-fire, if it's practical to do that and still have them bi-directional. > I was on 160 AM for a few hours last eve and QSO's out to 300-450 miles > was good copy with stations at the 100W level at both ends. Northern Maine, > Buffalo, WPA, and others were worked with ... 100W ... > It seems that your part of the country generally has less lightning in the evenings lately, according http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Severe/Lightning.aspx which I check daily. I guess I'm just too impatient. I was hoping someone would reply to my original question with something to the effect of "it is reasonable to expect a few days per month with no lightning in the USA beginning around the third week of August", but I realize that was just wishful thinking. I was able to finish my legal limit amplifier only two weeks before the QRN really began, and it never let up (at least in the evening, when I am most active) for a single day so far. So, I'm really anxious to see what the possibilities are from this QTH with the new amp, the inverted-L, and the two bi-directional Beverages. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com _________________ Topband Reflector
