[Elecraft] KPA1500 RFI on 12m

[K8TE]

Most hams cut their antenna length for lowest VSWR which is often NOT the
resonant point.  Resonance occurs when XsubL equals XsubC.  That means there
is no reactance at one frequency.  Impedance varies greatly with height
above ground.  The greatest radiation occurs at resonance which, again, is
often not at the lowest VSWR.  This is why a good antenna analyzer that
displays both VSWR and reactance is so helpful.  

Web sites abound with advice to cut the antenna for lowest VSWR.  Like
politics, the truth is difficult to find and, apparently, often hard to
believe.  And, anecdotal statements about how an antenna works
(WORK--WithOut Real Knowledge--K0BG) often has little to do with its
comparative performance.  Too few of us use real data (like WSPRLite) to
compare antennas and arrive at conclusions based on comparative data.

I liked the Pacificon theme this year:  "The Science of Radio"  That didn't
always apply in some of the presentations, but fortunately did in most I
attended.

73, Bill, K8TE



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