Long Path versus Short Path?

2	I have heard people mention occasionally that an HF QSO they had was via the Long Path versus the Short Path. How do they determine which path the signal took? ---Michael propagation asked Jan 14 '10 at 22:27 NO6O 371●1●1●11 edited Sep 24 '10 at 21:46 admin ♦♦ 1●2

2 Answers:

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If you have a directional antenna (yagi, terminated rhombic, etc), look which way it's pointed. Then determine if it's pointed in the shortest direction to the other ham, or in the opposite direction.

answered Jan 15 '10 at 01:56

AJ4UQ
116●3

Thank you very much. That makes a lot of sense. I didn't even consider a directional antenna.

---Michael

(Jan 15 '10 at 03:14) NO6O

Don't forget that if you don't use a directional and you are coming in both long AND short, you'll get that echo caused by hitting them twice. One by each path... that's always fun.

(Jan 15 '10 at 05:04) W4NKR

Oh yes. I recall receiving echoes once while listening to shortwave as a kid. I didn't realize at the time that I was hearing two paths. I recently read about a ham sending CQ who kept hearing the tail-end of his call. He thought someone was mocking him, until he found his signal to be rounding the Earth.

(Jan 15 '10 at 05:34) NO6O

HAHA! Nice... I'd probably think the same thing. :-)

(Jan 15 '10 at 20:08) W4NKR

I hope you have a hf yagi,hard to beat for long haul contacts,and even a small amp to drive the signal with.a site of very good info on best directions for your QTH is on this site is http:/WWW.NJDXA.ORG/DX-TOOLS/BEAM-HEADINGS.PHP,THIS IS EXACT heading from YOUR HOME shack.takes the guesswork out,utilize it.remember on dipoles how you set it up is important also,if its RAN N/S BEST FOR E/W WORK,I run my dipole NE/SW FOR EU AND ASIA and then go to the yagi for my comparison.hope you have many dx contacts.but i can tell you my vertical worked some dx my beam or dipole would not,propagation paths can fool you at times so be ready to switch whenever one antenna not up to the task.JACK

answered Jan 15 '10 at 18:34

JACK ELLIS SR N7YP
99●1●3

Thank you for the information. I'm using a Buddipole system, and am getting better results with vertical configurations than with dipoles. However, I still have a lot more experimenting to do.

---Michael

(Jan 15 '10 at 18:53) NO6O

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propagation ×2

Asked: Jan 14 '10 at 22:27

Seen: 1,166 times

Last updated: Sep 24 '10 at 21:46