Hi Chuck,
I have both a full size transmitting 4-square and a W8JI BSEF 8-circle array using 25 foot low impedance passive umbrella verticals. There are no active electronics in the W8JI's BSEF 8-circle array, unlike the Hi-Z array. While the transmitting array is an excellent receiving antenna, I can verify that the 8-circle is superior in some situations apparently because of its much narrower beamwidth. I'm sure the Hi-Z array would provide similarly excellent performance. I have completed QSOs with very weak DX stations that could not have been completed with the 4-square or my Beverages. For a contester its very important to have an alternative antenna to the 8-circle array. Its 3 dB beamwidth is so narrow (about 45 degrees) that you won't hear some off-azimuth callers. Normally I use the Beverages for receiving and switch to the 8-circle array only when needed. 73 Frank W3LPL ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chuck Dietz" <w5prch...@gmail.com> To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Monday, October 16, 2017 6:26:41 PM Subject: Topband: RDF for Transmit 4 Square vs 8 Circle Array I was always told that, if one had a 4 square, there would be no need for a receive array. I am finding this to be untrue when looking at the list of RDFs. (Receive Directivity Factor) I have snooped through the archives reading about RDF. Can anyone verify this from actual experience? Can you actually hear stuff on an 8 Circle that can't be heard on the transmit 4 square? I would think the difference might be more than marginal with the difference in RDFs of 2.48 db. I'm not sure of the difference in takeoff angles. That could be important too. As a practical matter, the 8 Circle is huge and expensive for a single band antenna... Chuck W5PR _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband