On Sat, 21 Aug 2004 17:38:42 GMT, Ron wrote:

Other than locating an antenna as high as posible and in open space, are there
"sweet spots" that behave like funnels for radio waves? By moving a portable
receiver around to find the strongest signal, I have noticed that certain
locations (I'm talking feet and yards, not miles) produce much more signal
strength than others. Of course, I also end up moving the antenna angle too
which may be responsible for this behavior. Just wondering if this effect is
worth considering when installing an antenna. Or am I just finding the
strongest lobe of the antenna pattern?

Ron, W4TQT

There absolutely are "sweet spots", but how do you find them?

I think the most fun working with antennas is the unknown. After all
the formulas and calculations, the tuning, the trimming and tweaking,
etc., the element of chance enters the picture, where you put the damn
thing :-)

It's like flipping a coin, I guess.

Ron, W1WBV

Other than locating an antenna as high as posible and in open space, are there

"sweet spots" that behave like funnels for radio waves?
....
Ron, W1WBV

There are.
I would group them into two huge groups: one, large geography, two, immediate
surroundings.

Geography and ground conditions can focus or disperse radio waves as well as
contribute to the formation of the antenna pattern. Example would be antennas
on sloping hills, bluff on the shore of ocean.

Immediate surroundings can cause reflections and sweet spots. Example I came
across was small loop next to the Beverage. It had better performance than
either lone antenna, better S/N. Another contributor are the guy wires,
surrounding towers and anything metallic. Easily seen with mobile setup.

Yuri, K3BU.us