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Old 9-Apr-2012, 8:27 PM   #16
GroundUrMast
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
The answer varies from one Enthusiast to another... This is the Enthusiast Exchange forum after all.

Some may have the misguided notion that they could save money (but I've built several from scrap bin material for a total of $0 out of pocket. Two of which are in service, reliably receiving several difficult edge path or distant signals.)

There are DXing hobbyists... For them, variable propagation is an opportunity to enjoy the 'hunt'.

Another reason is that a custom pattern may be needed due to adjacent and co-channel interference. Also, stations may be scattered around the compass.

Yet another, not everyone has a clear LOS, the need for more than 9dBi gain is common.

I'm sure there are other valid reasons... However, over in the Help with Reception forum, you'll not find a lot of 'roll your own' being suggested, certainly not as a 'first / best' solution.

Your point regarding fixation on any one parameter is valid. Thinking that gain is good without understanding the other factors that affect reception often leads people to buy amplifiers and sometimes antennas that make their situation worse, not better.
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Last edited by GroundUrMast; 9-Apr-2012 at 8:34 PM. Reason: comment re fixation
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