[Elecraft] Low antennas in high places

[Stuart Rohre]

Paul,
NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence Skywave) dipoles or antennas are any antenna 
operated at low elevations above ground from lying on ground to being say 
0.1 wave high, and certainly well below conventional heights for that 
antenna.  They are horizontal dipoles usually a half wave type, or tuned, if 
shorter.

They are used to increase your signal level at a few hundred miles by firing 
straight up at 80 to 90 degrees with most of your signal, and minimizing 
pickup of low angle noise.  However, they also can have a skip component of 
signal allowing 5,7 operation on SSB out to West Coast from here in Central 
TX.

In state, they increase a 100 watt signal from S8 to 20 over S9, by lowering 
the same antenna!

Stuart
K5KVH