[Antennas] Altitude

[Mike McCarthy, W1NR]

Altitude by itself is not as important as terrain.  If you have two 
locations at the same height above sea level where one is flat all 
around and the other is on top of a hill or steep slope, the effective 
height and launch angles will be better on the hill (for DX).

There is a program that was available from the ARRL called YT that 
computes effective height and launch angles from terrain profiles 
obtained from mapping programs like National Geographic TOPO! and Topo USA.

Of course, I would take a station at sea level built on a salt marsh by 
the sea any day (like VY2ZM and W1KM).

Mike, W1NR

Jim Miller wrote:
> OK (embarrassed) what's the deal?
> 
> Say I am surrounded by level ground for miles in all directions and there are no obstructions.  I have a tower with a vertical on top and elevated radials at whatever the magical length and number is the greatest.  My altitude is 600 feet above some standard reference (mean sea level if they haven't changed the name for that too).
> 
> I have another location that is identical but the Altitude if 1600 feet.
> 
> WHY is it that the one that is at the higher altitude is supposed to be so much greater of a location than the other as far as performance is concerned?  (I just heard it again - First guy says - I am at 8xx ft and the next guy pipes up proudly and BOASTS that he is at 12xx ft like 800 is a horrible place to be).
> 
> WHY ????
> 
> Thanks es 73, de Jim KG0KP