Six Meter antenna question

[KT4XP]

I would like to upgrade my antenna (2El Moxon @ 35' ) to a 4 El Yagi @ 35'.To have better weak signal performance.My concern is with the sharper beamwidth I will have trouble hearing the Beacons from all directions.

My question is ; Will I need to add a Squalo to the mast so I can still copy beacons and not miss any openings.I can then switch between the two antennas as needed.

If so , how close below the beam and rotor should I mount it?The max height of the mast is 35'.My concern is to minimize interaction between the squalo and the 4El Yagi.

Thanks for any help in this, Peter KT4XP

[WB2WIK]

I'd forget the squalo and just use the beam.

You won't miss much in the way of beacons with a 4L Yagi...its front lobe cover most of the U.S. if you just aim northwest.  Weaker beacons from overseas probably wouldn't be heard on a squalo at all unless propagation was so incredibly good that most home stations would be S9+ at which point you'll know the band's open without beacons.

[KT4XP]

Thanks Steve

    I just would not want to miss any Carribean Beacons if the Beam is parked NW.
I guess I could  park it SW.I like to scan beacon freqs while working around the shack.

                  Peter KT4XP EM94

[KH6AQ]

It depends on how much loss of forward gain or deterioration of F/B ratio you can tolerate. I ran a quick EZNEC model and the interaction with 20' spacing is minimal. With 10' spacing the F/B drops by a few dB.

[G8YMW]

One thing you could do is add another "moxon" on an extended boom. This "Moxon" is actually a pair of directors in a rectangle.
Vine Antennas here in the UK has done this. Heres a link to show you what I mean

http://www.vinecom.co.uk/moxons.htm

[KT4XP]

<the interaction with 20' spacing is minimal. With 10' spacing the F/B drops by a few db.>

          I think I will try just the beam as WIK suggested, thanks for the model.at 20'
below it would be so low it wouldn't hear anything anyway.If I need to I can put a loop
on its own mast. but high enough to be useful.


 Thanks for the Moxon link, I never saw a horizontal Moxon stack.My Moxon is a wire with
fishing pole spreaders.A stack like that would have a large wind load.

I think a 4 El yagi is the way to go.thanks again.kt4xp

[W7TZ]

Given your location and interest in the Carribean, I'd point the beam just east of the area of interest. As long as the F/B is not extreme, you'll probably hear activity from most openings off the backside.
73, Roger