[Antennas] vertical noise

[Robert Lay - W9DMK]

On Thu, 13 Mar 2003 18:14:21 -0600
 windy10605@juno.com wrote:
> The 80m band (sometimes 40m) is very noisy around here.
> 
> I've heard that a typical vertical, even with good ground radials,
> is quite noisy when compared to a dipole especially on 80m and 
> 40m. This is for both verticals on the ground with a good radial 
> system and those elevated and using a counterpoise radial system. 
> Also that most AC power distribution noise is vertically polarized.
> What are some comments by those who have used both ? 

Yes, you will have more noise on any vertical when compared with a
Herzian antenna. The reason is more that just AC power distribution
noise - as I understand it, the ambient background noise all over the
world is vertically polarized - go figure!

Beyond the question of noise, most people with good, high dipoles will
find that they will beat out a vertical, hands down, when you do an
honest A/B comparison test. Anyone who works DX with a vertical will
claim to the contrary. You will never know for sure until you  make
your own A/B switch tests in QSO. That's the way I made my decisions.

73 de W9DMK (Bob Lay in Dahlgren, VA)
http://www.qsl.net/w9dmk