[DX] Quad vs Yagi antenna height

[John Geiger]

I am looking for some information about the optimum
minimum height for a quad antenna. I have looked
around at various sources, and keep seeing that a quad
will work at a lower height than a yagi, but see
nothing definite as to that height.

Here is the situation.  I currently have a Mini
Products 2 element mini quad at 30 feet or so.  It is
mounted on a tripod on the roof of my 1 story house. 
I have currently worked 305 countries barefoot with
either a dipole, the mini quad, or a Cushcraft MA5B
which I used to have.  However, the DXing is putting
me in a funk. I have only worked 2 new countries this
year (A7 and ST), missed the 3C0 before they went QRT,
and am not getting good copy on the VK9X, the XZ, or
the BQ9P.  It is starting to feel like I will never
work a new country.  I supposed that the decline in
sunspots is not helping any.

Anyway, it will be a few years before I can afford to
put up a tower, and I also want to get tenured at the
university I am at so I know I wont be moving anytime
soon.  Given that I can't get an antenna up above 30
feet or so, I am looking into alternatives.  I had a
full sized 2 element tribander for awhile, but it
didn't do too much because of its height.  That is why
I am looking at a quad.  Will probably have to go with
a 15/10 meter model only due to cost and size
constraints.  What would be the minimum height to get
such an antenna to really play?  Am I doomed without a
tower?  Should I find something else to do other than
chase DX?  It sure is getting frustrating as of late. 
The local ham who I sold my MA5B to worked Pratas
yesterday, and he has been a general all of 3 or 4
months.  Some guys get all the luck.

Any help as to antenna ideas or height requirements
would sure be appreciated.

73s John NE0P


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