In article .com,
"Steve" wrote:

Guy Atkins wrote:
For the first time in many years, I traveled inland within
Washington rather than to a coastal site for a DXpedition. My
intent was to concentrate on tropical band DXing for a change, as
trans-Pacific MW DX is the primary target from the WA coast
DXpedition locations such as Grayland and Ocean City State Park.

Conrad Meadows is a beautiful spot in the Mt. Rainier area, and is
the starting point for hikers and packhorse trips heading into the
Goat Rocks Wilderness. I set up camp in a nearby "dispersed
camping" area, where you are free to set up camp in whatever spot
looks inviting. I picked a location a short stone's throw from the
South Fork of the Tieton River, and between two conveniently-placed
pine trees (for antennas).

The area is green and lush during the spring, but this part of the
state is bone-dry at the moment...still, it's a pleasant location
to camp next to the burbling waters, string up some antennas, and
DX completely free from local noise or interference sources. The
photos on this individual's blog show what Conrad Meadows looks
like in the month of May:
http://www.moderndogweblog.com/photo...onradmeadowsfr
omabove. html

This was the 3rd DXpedition I've used the PA0RDT Mini-Whip antenna,
and it was great to find that it always equalled, and usually
exceeded, my Wellbrook ALA 100. The Mini-Whip clearly performs best
in a noise-free location and mounted as high as possible. At the
campsite I was able to raise the Mini-Whip to a 40-foot level in
the branches of a Ponderosa pine; the ALA 100 antenna was erected
similarly, with the flat-top portion of an inverted delta loop also
at 40 feet. Total loop circumference was 100 feet; probably
overkill but the loop was still a fine performer.


It's weird that the mini-whip is so vulnerable to noise. Its creator
says he designed it specifically for use in urban environments and so
that he'd have an antenna for LF work that would be quieter than an
active loop. And yet the reviews I read all talk about what a noise
magnet the mini-whip is. I don't get it.

The down side of the design is that it is a short E field antenna
perfect for picking up those local noise fields.

The upside of the design is that it is small so if you can locate it
away some distance from the local noise sources then it could have a
low local noise floor. It might be possible to do this with a small
antenna where you could not manage the same with a full size antenna on
an urban lot.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California