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January 4th 04, 09:01 AM

(Richard Harrison) wrote in message ...
Mark Keith wrote:
"For DX transmitting on the lower bands, vertical polarization is the
best way to go."

In some cases. If that were always the case, why do commercial shortwave
stations all use horizontal polarization for both point-to-point service
and broadcasting?

I don't know. I've wondered the same thing.

During my years in shortwave broadcasting, I never saw a single
vertically polarized antenna used for HF transmitting.

I believe you.

My experience is not unique. E.A. Laport was Chief Engineer, RCA
International Division of Radio Corporation of America (RCA). For many
years RCA was the largest short-wave communications organization in the
world. In his book, "Radio Antenna Engineering", Ed Laport says:

"The earliest high-frequency beam antennas used vertical polarization,
but subsequent evolution has caused the almost universal use of
horizontal polarization. There may be a reversion to vertical
polarization in the future for certain applications."

This seems to be more of a physical concern rather than which
polarization is actually the best over a certain path, for a certain
freq. There is no doubt in my mind vertical is almost always better
than horizontal for low freq's for long, low angle paths. Myself, I
think this applies all the way up to 40m or so.
My dipole on 40m was only 35-40 ft. Not a 1/2 wave up. But not once
did it ever beat my vertical long haul, or even semi long haul. It has
trouble beating my 10 ft tall vertical on my car. I tried this many
times from here to Fla. The mobile beat it every time we tried. And my
mobile is a low efficiency peanut whistle compared to the full size
elevated ground plane I ran on 40m. It's also nearly ground mounted.
MK