The application relates to a method for operation of an active antenna array and to an active antenna system. The active antenna system has a signal processing unit and an active antenna array adapted to be operated with a main antenna pattern correlated to a main receive beam and with at least one test antenna pattern correlated to a test receive beam having an orientation different from the main receive beam. A main radio frequency signal is received based on the main antenna pattern and a test radio frequency signal is received based on the test antenna pattern. The main radio frequency signal comprises communications traffic. Performance of the main receive beam is assessed based on the main radio frequency signal and performance of the test receive beam is assessed based on the test radio frequency signal. The main antenna pattern is adjusted based on a comparison of the performance of the main receive beam and test receive beam.