I am very new to the radio hobby and I'm interested in DX communication. I just purchased a President Mckinley SSB radio (all stock) and built a 1/2 wave inverted-V dipole, mounted in my attic. I am in Louisiana and the legs of the dipole are pointed NNE and SSW. My understanding is that the radiation pattern is perpendicular to the direction of the legs, so this should cover the western United States. Surprisingly enough, I have made a number of LSB contacts with this antenna and stock radio, with good audio reports, from 900 to 1200 miles away. The thing I don't quite understand is that ALL of my contacts have been in the north-north east around Pennsylvania, New York, etc. Directly in line with the legs of the dipole. I haven't reached anyone west of my location, even though I can hear them very well.
Is there a particular reason I am seeing this performance from my antenna?
Thanks,
Daron
Is there a particular reason I am seeing this performance from my antenna?
Thanks,
Daron