The AM Forum

On 6 & 2, is vertical polarization or horizontal polarization preferred?

For what?

Local repeater or mobile work, use vertical... -For DX, horizontal.

And, itsa gud idea to get the ants up high and in the clear.

KLC

I didn't know if A.M. was vertical like F.M. or horizontal like U.S.B.; it looks like both are in use.

73,
N1WVQ

You will find sometimes vertical works better than horizontal antenna for 6m SSB and AM but most of the times horizontal is where its at, just depend on the conditions at the moment. Get a loop or a 3-7 element beam.  I use a switch box between a M2 HO loop, 1/2 buddipole and a 1/4wave vertical for 6M and about 25-30% of the time I can hear the dx better on vertical but majority of the time the M2 loop gives me the best overall performance.

Thanks! You've given me a bit to think about!

Hi Jay. In New England everyone that I have heard uses horizontal for AM and SSB, vertical for FM, as a general rule.
Maybe I will hear you on 50.4 one of these days if you are in Middleborough.
Larry

Thanks! That's what I needed to know, so now I can go about getting antennae & knowing which way to orient them!

I have to repair my Lafayette HA-460, which only puts out about a watt right now, but that was enough about 5 years ago to have a QSO with KB1DFC when I lived in East Providence & was using a loop antenna on the floor of my single-story house! I want to replace the caps in the HA-460 & get it back up to snuff, but I hope to be able to work you soon!

73, Jay

Thanks! Based on that & WA1LGQ's response, I am going to go horizontal for my 1st antennae for 6 & 2!

Ok. Good luck with the HA-460. I have one of those too, though It is not really on the air much. Usually I use a Johnson 6&2 tx adapter on my Viking I. Puts out about 50W on 6.
Larry

The Ranger is nice also....

1 Watt fer yer Lafeyette?? Try replacing the 2e26 ( i think thats the tube) with a new one.

CU on 6.

Klc

Having worked for Lafayette and serviced many HA-460's, check the power supply resistors to start. After 50 plus years, probably many of the caps need to be replaced. Resistors  should also be checked. And, of course, tubes don't last forever either.

Below is a temporary loop I use on 6 meters.

It is 5' on each side. Yes, 60". Feed at the bottom for horizontal polarization (at the side for vertical) through a 38" piece of 75 ohm coax.
Note the small plate mounted SO239 where the 75 and 50 ohm coax meet.

(Ok for some reason the pics loaded sideways..... sorry)

I have to find the manual for it, but I will check both the power supply resistors & the electrolytic caps! Thanks!

I built a similar rectangular loop based on the attched article. Horz. polarization.

For 6 meters the dimensions are 6'8" x 3'4". Bottom fed. 50 ohm.

First few contacts from Northern MI were Arkansas, Georgia & Florida.

We use vertical polarization for 2M AM here in the Phoenix AZ area so that an antenna put up for 2M FM can be used as-is.

That’s what I’m hoping it is here in New England as that would make things a bit simpler for me!

Update: I bought a Ranger RCI-5054DX100 which does 50W on AM. I Just need to get/build an antenna.

A friend of mine N1PSI (now SK) had one of those Rangers for 6. The thing worked very well. Good luck with it. We might be able to hook up on 6 once you get up the ant. I am running an experimental online SDR for 6 these days from my house. My location is not the best, but I plan to move it to a better location as soon as I can get a little time. Right now it is using a Moxon ant aimed about Southeast, but I change it around as needed. SIXMETERSCT.DDNS.NET:20553 in a browser address window will get you there and you can see my wonderful RFI. Firefox works best.
Larry

I have a hill which may block the signal about 5 miles west of me. But, it’ll be fun to try 50.4!