[Antennas] Re: Yagi height and DX

[Dave Kelley]

At 12:01 PM 4/13/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>From: John Geiger <johngeig@yahoo.com>
>
>I am currently using a Cushcraft MA5B mounted on a
>tripod on top of a one story house-approximately 20
>feet off the ground.  This antenna has worked well,
>but I am wondering if I am hitting the performance
>plateau with it.  I have 294 worked, including 4 new
>ones this year-JD1o, PW0T, VP6DI, and XW0X.
>
>It seems that I am not hearing so well, though.  Last
>night several 5 land stations reported SV2ASP/A as Q5
>on 20 meter SSB, but I could not hear a thing.  Also
>could not hear VK9L on 15 ssb that other stations were
>putting on the reflector.

You don't state how long the antenna has been up, but
if it's been a few years, you might check the cable
leading to the antenna.  If you're suddenly not hearing
stations that you would have in the past, your cable
may have become lossy due to water leakage or some
other malady.  It might be worth checking that first
before spending the money on a new system.

73,
Dave