Antenna Question.

[Allan_Love_Jr]

I am using this Antenna for my Railroad Monitoring right now.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...Type/Scanner/HAM&fbc=1&parentPage=family
Does it matter what direction I face the Antenna to pick up the weakest Radio Signals? I am trying to pick up the BNSF. Thanks.

 

[zz0468]

No, it doesn't matter. It's an omni-directional antenna.

 

[Allan_Love_Jr]

Antenna.

No, it doesn't matter. It's an omni-directional antenna.

Thanks.

 

[Allan_Love_Jr]

Antenna.

No, it doesn't matter. It's an omni-directional antenna.

Even though it is an Omni-directional Antenna. I still had to point the Antenna towards Ashland. I can hear the Dispatcher now. The two short Antennas where facing East to West. Now I have them facing North to South.

 

[Paulsan]

Allan, have you looked at these antennas? Just thought I'd point them out if you haven't.

http://www.dpdproductions.com/page_traintenna.html

 

[zz0468]

Even though it is an Omni-directional Antenna. I still had to point the Antenna towards Ashland. I can hear the Dispatcher now. The two short Antennas where facing East to West. Now I have them facing North to South.

Interesting that the directional characteristics are enough to notice. It leaves me wondering what's really going on.

 

[nd5y]

People don't realize that when you rotate antennas around a mast you are changing the location of the antenna in space and moving it into and out of hot spots and nulls.

They think it is directivity. It usually isn't.
It is the exact same thing that happens when you move a hand held around to a different spot and notice that stations can be stronger or weaker or you are able to hear certain stations when you have the radio in one room but totally lose reception in another room.