"flat side"

[Becker]

Alright, I know when people say they are talking on the flat side they mean horizontal polarity. Now, my question is, what exactly makes talking on the flat side so much different? I'm thinking it gives more of a directional tx and rx. I'm not sure though as I'm just a little mud duckling.

[231]

Nope. It means they are on the horizontal...period (just like you said). Sometimes they are mererly boasting of having a beam...nothing more.
But "flat side" usually carries better to the horizon...thus hitting the skip conditions. And when DX is rolling, often the signal is twisting (if you will)...which literally means that vertical is better sometimes. A pretty good reason to have dual polarity. Just my opinion anyway.

[058hamer]

Also less man made noise when horizontal. Worked a guy in MD years ago and we had to be opposite on polarization one vert one flat hope this helps. 058hamer