Virginia Peak, NV (W7/WC-010) SOTA Activation - 12/28/2011
HFTA output for a beam heading of 90 degrees, comparing my low antenna (in red) to a dipole antenna over flat ground and up 1/2 wavelength (in blue). My antenna outperforms the dipole by several dB at low takeoff angles thanks to the downsloping terrain. Low takeoff angles are best for long-distance communications. The bar graph along the bottom shows the relative probability of signals from the U.S. arriving at various takeoff angles. At the higher angles most likely to be in use, the dipole is outperforming my antenna. My antenna was running roughly North-South (maximum signal to the East-West) so these comparisons are valid. However, my antenna was in the inverted-V configuration as opposed to a flattop dipole, so the terrain effects may not have been quite as significant as shown here (i.e., my antenna may not perform quite as well as shown).
HFTAOutputVirginiaPeakMyAntennaVsDipoleUpHalfWavelengthOverFlatGround90Degrees
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