A quick note about Gain and directivity

 I want to make sure everyone understands that you absolutely can not have gain in all directions. Anytime an antenna has power gain is one direction it must have a corresponding power loss in one or more other directions. I am not only talking about compass directions but elevation angles also. 

When someone asks the question about what is the best configuration for a particular antenna, there is no answer unless we know the purpose or purposes of the antenna. A high gain antenna is probably only going to be best in only one direction and that is at the expense of all other directions unless you can rotate that antenna or put up one for every direction you desire!

Even directive antennas have nulls in their elevation patterns. So a highly directive antenna pointed in a desired direction may be too high or too low to concentrate the signal where you want it.

I tend to prefer less directive antennas for everyday amateur radio operations. The antenna nulls are much more significant to me than high gain in only a narrow direction. 

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