polarization question

[tech53]

what polarization do most shortwave pirates use? I know most hams use horizontal, but most marine stations which is what bands most pirates are in, use vertical, so im kinda wondering, I'm making a few antennas and I'm kinda thinking of making one tuned specifically for one of the pirate bands.

[Robot Matrix]

what polarization do most shortwave pirates use? I know most hams use horizontal, but most marine stations which is what bands most pirates are in, use vertical, so im kinda wondering, I'm making a few antennas and I'm kinda thinking of making one tuned specifically for one of the pirate bands.

Polarization, once a radio wave reaches the ionosphere, becomes circular or elliptical, so in that regard it doesn't really matter whether you put up a vertical or a horizontal antenna.

However, it matters if you want an omni-directional vs directional, plus other factors. A 34 foot vertical (6.9 MHz 1/4 wave) with decent radials would be a good omni-directional. An inverted L would work too as it's MOSTLY omni-directional. A loop, end fed, off center fed, or dipole is going to be directional. Google all this and you'll get a good idea.

Or we can talk shop in the equipment thread. Good luck!