[HCARC] Antenna Questions Of The Day

[Kerry Sandstrom]

Gary,

I'm happy to hear that.  I really am serious about the fact that almost any 
antenna will work and no matter what antenna you get/use, the biggest single 
problem is always getting it to match to the transmitter.  Antenna modeling 
is fun but no matter how well you characterize your antenna, you will still 
have to mess around with it to get the SWR as low as you want it.  Thats why 
I reccommend a simple sort of dipole, that is it looks kind of like a dipole 
and is kind of the right size, and an antenna tuner to take care of the 
match.  Adjusting an antenna tuner is easy and only takes a little practice. 
It is easier to show how to do it than it is to describe it.  You probably 
need some kind of an SWR meter and the easiest for me to use is the one that 
gives you an indication of both the forward and reflected powers at the same 
time.  It really makes it easy to adjust the tuner.  When you are to that 
point, I'll be happy to show you how to adjust the tuner.

The main thing I find the Anteena Book useful for is showing me how others 
have solved the mechanical problems of building an antenna.  I didn't think 
to mention it, but that is the main reason for tapered elements.  The large 
diameter at the bottom is for strength and the small diameter at the top is 
to minimize wind load and weight.  It really has nothing to do with the 
electrical design of the antenna.

See you at the club meeting.

73,

Kerry