Hi Everyone, Last night I reconnected the ground rods to the end of the beverage. Eastern cx last night were terrible here, so I could not compare signals. KSTP was very poor and even KOA wasn't too hot. But today, in comparing daytime signals. I find signals to ESE to be stronger with the ground connected. This probably explains why with the ground connected, I don't hear the LW TAs on the beverage. Back in the 80s, I had a good lobe into Eastern Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, into Central Florida quite often. Infact WXVI 1600 AL was a regular most nights. Then I had to raise my beverage, so the farm equipment could pass through in about 2003. At the time I also disconnected the ground at the end. The beverage never did as well. I blamed it on raising the antenna. I am sure that had an effect, but it is interesting to note on groundwave daytime, the lobe is more to the ESE with the ground connected. KSL 1160 at 1500 EDT is S7 and I know earlier in the week, it wasn't that strong. Portland's 50KWers are a bit stronger too. I remote switch at the far end to disconnect the ground rods could be an interesting test. One other thing that may also affect it, is the ground rods are 30 feet to the West of the end, so in connecting the rods back up, the beverage is 30 feet shorter. That also may have some effect. I think since TA's are not going to return until next Fall (If they do), I'll will leave the ground connected and see what is heard. I may have my lobe back towards the SE part of the US. I really have missed it too.
73 Patrick Patrick Martin Seaside Oregon "Come visit us for the 2010 IRCA convention held Sept 24-26 at the Inn At Seaside." _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com