[Elecraft] how did I calculate the loss?

[Vic Rosenthal]

John Buck wrote:

> Depending on the antenna, so what if the feedline radiates a bit?  When 
> used with typical compromize wire antennas, feedline radiation may even 
> help in some cases.
> Feedline radiation is not loss if you consider the feedline to be part 
> of the antenna.

OK, to avoid misunderstanding, we were talking about feeding a 
ground-mounted vertical with 600-ohm open wire line.

Feedline radiation may or may not be considered loss in every case.  In 
this case, where the feedline is quite close to the ground, it most 
definitely is.

Something else which is often not considered when talking about feedline 
radiation is the following:  a ham antenna is used for receiving as well 
as transmitting.  A feedline that radiates when transmitting also picks 
up signals when receiving.  Since you have hopefully situated your 
antenna away from computers, power lines, household appliances, etc., 
making the feedline part of the antenna makes for a noisier antenna.

Vic K2VCO