w4jle ...

^ Would you not agree that the element that is closest to
^ resonance is also the best match?

No. Your question is phrased as a negative so my negative answer is an
agreement with the context of the question. I do not, not agree.

^ With that as a given more signal is derived from that
^ element.

Agreed.


^ The radiation reception angle would also be lower. For
^ example 2 elements, one cut for 50 MHz and the other at
^ 800 MHz. The 50 MHz element would appear as a long wire
^ on 800 MHz and would receive only signals directly overhead.

It works well. I assume you modeled the antenna with a software package and
that you used a vertical orientation. I use insulated wires that are
separated from each other only by the insulation. The wires are soldered
together at the BNC connector.


^ On frequencies above about 25 MHz, the best transmitting
^ antenna for a purpose is also the best receiving antenna
^ for that same purpose.

Graphically, the difference is like the difference between a 200m flagpole
and a 200m building. They both reach the same height -- the height
representing the "best" reception -- but the building covers a much greater
area, with the area representing the usable signal. In this analogy, the
flagpole is representing a transmit antenna and the building represents a
receive antenna.

So yes, the best transmit antenna is also the best receive antenna but the
receive has a much range that it is "best" at.



^ The largest current will flow in a resonant antenna. We are
^ interested in developing the signal in microvolts across the
^ fixed input impedance of the receiver.

The ability of an antenna to receive is irrespective of any electrical or
electronic equipment attached to it. An antenna captures electromagnetic
radiation and, if there is somewhere for it to flow, converts it to
electrical energy.


^ E=I/R meaning voltage is equal to the amount of current
^ divided by the fixed resistance of the receiver input.

That's E=I*R.


^ Note that ALL receivers are characterized in microvolts
^ required for a specific S/N ratio.

The ratio of desired frequencies to undesired frequencies.


^ The other off resonance elements do not develop the
^ necessary current levels.

That applies only when transmitting. When transmitting you are applying a
single frequency (plus and minus the bandwidth of the transmitter) to the
antenna system. In this case, the element that is most resonant will
translate most of that signal.

In the case of a receive antenna, the antenna is receiving ALL frequencies
and those that are close in wavelength to an element are received at a
greater level.

Frank