Jim et al - conditions over the Pole are very poor at the moment following a couple of nasty compounded small but painful geo.iono events. I can  only just see HGA22 at dot 60 at dusk.
 
Been playing with s/n of my main 2 turn large K9AY beaming Eu against a "4 inch" Eprobe.
 
In my personal circumstances, in this environment the K9AY in pure s/n, is less than 1db better than the small piece of copper clad and 1 inch copper tape. Got to tell you in this environment Id rather have to maintain a small piece of copper against a large Moose attraction. Ill be able to switch between antennae on my return to Oklahoma as Im sure things will change and possible "wave" angles may change things - or not.
 
I was hoping to shove out a Beverage but given the snow depth and temps its a no go - bad enough just refilling the winter bird feeder, which can be an epic adventure of Sir Ranulph Fiennes proportion (and I should know :-) ))
 
good luck on more Southerly and more pleasant to the electrons paths.
 
Laurence KL7UK G4DMA We2XPQ