Right. Hams should study the horizontal and vertical patterns of their
antennas. John's antenna is narrower than most. The -3dB points of a
typical 3-el Yagi are around +/- 35 degrees. A 4-el Yagi is a few
degrees narrower. 3dB is half an S-unit. It matters only when the other
guy has noise or there's a lot of QRM.
While contesting, I'm often called by stations well off-axis of where my
antenna is aimed, even off the back and sides. The fact that they have
called and I am copying them means that the antenna is aimed well enough
to make the QSO, so that's all I care about. I'll swing the antenna only
if I'm calling a multiplier and not getting through. In domestic
contests, most W6 hams will lock our antennas at 70 degrees. KL7, KH6,
and VE8 are off the back and sides, but I never have any trouble working
them when they are there!
73, Jim K9YC
On Tue,1/24/2017 4:43 AM, john@kk9a.com wrote:
It is nice to have the antennas aimed accurately, however as a contester
you never know what country is calling next or exactly what path the
signal is taking. Luckily on HF direction is not critical. 10 degrees off
on my 60' boom OWA 20m antenna is less than 1/2 dB down.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|