[Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] HiZ3 and low angles

[Steve Flood]

So after 10 years using the K9AY loops, I bought a HiZ3 triangle setup and
installed it about 6 weeks ago.

 

My initial observations with morning DXing on 160m these past weeks (NH8S,
3D2C, 9M2AX, RW0CR, HL5IVL) are as follows:

 

1.       The directivity is wonderful when I first tested it on daylight AM
BCB stations and early morning 160m stateside and DX.

2.      The gain level is quite high compared to the K9AY.   160m band noise
is S3-S5 on the HiZ.  The same band noise on the K9AY (with 13dB preamp)
would rarely move the S-meter.

3.      The K9AY would always hear better than my omni vertical or my 80m
dipole, without exception.  This is especially true for the NE path to
Europe where the vertical or dipole would not hear EU stations at all..

4.      While listening to the DX stations over the past weeks, signals were
as good on the dipole and omni vertical as they were on the HiZ, even while
the HiZ showed excellent directivity.

 

In an email conversation with W7IUV, he explained the HiZ has a very low
notch angle - around 20 degrees or below.  This is evident on the EZNEC
plots.

The K9AY notch is more like 25 to 50 degrees depending on ground conditions
and termination resistance.  I wish I could set up both the K9AY and HiZ for
comparisons but I don't have the space.

 

Here's the upshot:   I am surrounded by mountains that block my horizon up
to 20 degrees to my NE, 14 degrees to my SW, and 10 degrees to my NW and SE.

I am wondering if perhaps the HiZ is not the best antenna to use for my deep
valley location, since most all of the signals I am going to hear are at
higher angles.

Is this why I have not had an "Oh Wow!" moment yet with the HiZ?

 

Thanks for any tips,

Steve KK7UV