On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 10:22:55 -0500, Bill Ogden wrote:
I have a new SteppIR antenna to play with and I noticed an odd response. If
I set the beam for 17 or 15 meters but listen on 20 meters I seem to have a
better S/N ratio on signals. If I then switch the beam to 20 meters (while
continuing to listen on 20) the background noise and the signals go up but
the noise goes up more than the signals.

Expressed another way, is a non-resonant antenna sometimes better for
reception than a resonant antenna?

This may be a well-known effect, but it is new to me.

Not expressly addressing your circumstances: But, I sometimes will
switch to a different antenna on receive to get a better S/N ratio --
even if the sigs drop in level.

E.g., When on 15M, I might switch to the 80/40M dipoles for RCV.
Or, when on 80M, I might switch to the tri-bander for RCV.

( Then, like a klutz, I'll forget to switch back on XMIT. :-)

73
Jonesy
--
| Marvin L Jones | jonz | W3DHJ | linux
| Gunnison, Colorado | @ | Jonesy | OS/2 __
| 7,703' -- 2,345m | config.com | DM68mn SK