On Fri, Sep 30, 2022 at 07:31 AM, Paul B. Walker, Jr. wrote:

Whenever I go after transpolar or Aus/NZ, my FSL is pointed north/south.

 

Today, I had 4QD 1548 when pointed west, like what I do when I’m listening for Asian signals.  If I pointed it north south I’d still hear 4QD, but not as well.

 

Never had this happen.

 

Paul,

The FSL antenna provides a fairly broad pattern of gain, and can receive DX signals fairly well from stations within about 45 degrees of the pointed direction. As you approach a null bearing (90 degrees) the gain boost drops off dramatically, making the FSL quite effective in nulling pest stations.

Here on the west coast (Washington and Oregon) an FSL antenna pointed due west (270 degrees) can usually receive both Australian and Japanese signals, but when you direct an FSL to the New Zealand direction (210 degrees) the Japanese signals drop out completely. That's because they are being nulled, as they are coming from a bearing about 90 degrees away from the pointed direction (that is, coming from about 300 degrees).

Of course if your DX target is Japan (300 degrrees), Australia (240 degrees) or New Zealand (210 degrees), it's always best to aim the FSL directly at your target. But as long as a DX station is at a bearing within about 45 degrees of your pointed direction, the FSL will still provide a gain boost. Your DX direction bearings in central Alaska will of course be different, but the same principle will apply.

Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)