"Bill Peters" wrote in message ...

I put up a 20 meter dipole array a while back and I don't seem to be
receiving the greatest signals. The height is fairly low, about 20', and
one part of the array is fairly close to an aluminum fence I have
surrounding the property. I'd say the southern leg of the array is about
25' away from the fence. So I ask the question: what effect can fences
have on antennas and what are some possible solutions? I can rule out
moving the antenna because I lack the room to move it any further away from
the fence.

Thanks,
Bill
-
For clarification, is the "dipole array" more than one dipole?

You could configure a reference antenna by mounting a nominal 16 foot
vertical element on the fence, using the fence as a ground. (If you don't
have spare tubing, a wire taped to a bamboo pole would do) Then you could
get an idea of whether or not the dipole is working OK, or the band being
dead.

--Wayne
W5GIE