Generally this question is asked WRT calibrating a rotor to north. In these cases the antennas on the rotors will be higher gain with a more narrow beam width. One must know all the variables like beam width and deviation at the QTH to say whether it is important or not.

73, Mike Diehl W8LID

On Jun 3, 2018, at 14:48, John KI4RO johnki4ro@gmail.com wrote:

That's my point...for the average guy using a standard ARROW it isn't that big a deal....just get it pointed N or S and away you go. hi hi

73 John KI4RO

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On Sun, Jun 3, 2018 at 2:41 PM, Mike Diehl diehl.mike.a@gmail.com wrote: You bring up an important point regarding beam width. The link provided shows a 3 element with 100° width so you need to be within 50° of either side of center to be inside the front lobe.

Now consider a V/UHF beam that can have 3-5x as many elements. Say for instance you’re at 30° beam width or 15° to either side of center. If the station is off by 12.5° they are almost completely outside the lobe.

With my 5x9 Arrow I notice just how much more accurate I need to be when pointing over the 3x7 Arrow II if I want maximum gain.

That said, just how important it is to be true north versus magnetic north is going to depend on your beam width.

73, Mike Diehl W8LID

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On Jun 3, 2018, at 12:10, John KI4RO johnki4ro@gmail.com wrote:

I don't think its all that critical based on what I see here:

http://www.dx-antennas.com/Yagi3.htm

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