Hi, I am on a small lot now and have barely been able to get signal out on 160 meters. A full size antenna for 80 meters won't really fit without some "crunching". I am ever going to be a world beater on either of those bands but I do get to play. On a couple of other mail reflectors we all agree that *any* antenna is better than a radio sitting on the shelf collecting dust.
73, Bill KU8H Bark less - wag more > On Jul 30, 2019, at 11:00 PM, w...@w5zn.org wrote: > > I always enjoy reading the experience that folks have with their receiving > antennas. The RDF and comparison charts that are published these days are > pretty accurate so you can get a very good feel for how the antennas stand up > against each other. > > When it comes to the question of "Which RX Antenna is Better" that's a whole > different ballgame with many, many variables! Obviously the amount of area > you have to erect an RX antenna will factor in a good bit on your success. > I'm fortunate to have a lot of land that I can play on with several different > RX antenna types. Even so, an RX antenna that works great at my QTH may not > work worth a flip at yours. I've always strayed away from comparing antennas > between two different geographical areas, even those that are relatively > close to me (within 250 miles or so). One key factor that isn't mentioned > much when comparing RX antennas is the impact of propagation on 160 meters. I > always like to compare what is being heard at Dave W0FLS up north of me by > around 400 miles or so and at K5RK down the opposite direction by about the > same distance. Heck, even close by with K5UR 25 miles south of me and WD5R > the same distance north we hear different results some times! Go figure, or > ask K9LA ab out 160 meter prop! > > Low band RX antennas have improved considerably over the past 10 to 15 years > simply because more is being published about them and we are sharing our > experiences with them. That definitely needs to continue. > > So, here's the bottom line from the "ZN Perspective". Put up the best system > you can based on your available space. Learn how that antenna performs on the > air at your QTH and then share your experience with us but just remember, > your objective is to improve your receive noise floor and get that as low as > possible for your area. You will NOT magically begin to hear DX if the > propagation isn't there and if you live out here in fly over country like me > most of the time you won't hear some of that juicy DX that the boys sitting > right on the east coast salt water will hear but when the prop gods smile on > you that low noise RX antenna will give you the edge. > > GL with the projects and I very much look forward to the upcoming low band DX > season! > > 73 Joel W5ZN > _________________ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector