meander line coil
 

I'm looking for information on how a meander line coil works,
specifically how each of the physical dimensions affects the response.
My interest is the result of my interest in constructing an antenna
like that shown at:

http://www.guerrilla.net/reference/a...r_omni_lowpwr/
802.11 2.4Ghz Low-Power 5dBi Vertical Collinear Antenna

Reading my ARRL antenna book the meander line coil is obviously
functioning as the 1/2 wavelength phasing stub between the collinear
elements, thus the 1/4 wavelength criteria stated in the above page.
My Heathkit "Electronics Learning DIctionary" defines meander line
as:

"A transmission-line matching section the electrical length of which
is dependent on frequency. The characteristics of a meander line are
detirmined primarily by the width of the structure, the spacing
between adjacent turns, and the angle of the line with respect to the
ground plane. If the turns have sufficient separation that there is no
space coupling between adjacent turns, the meander line becomes a
simple length of transmission line."

That's all the information I can find on these things. Everything else
appears to be aimed at using meander lines as antennas. From what I
know that is exactly the thing that I *don't* want this section of the
antenna to do.

So, does anyone know where I can find more information on how this
thing works and what I need to be careful about in constructing them?
Any other pointers or information would be appreciated.

BTW, I have an engineering background (computer engineering), so I'm
not completely clueless. But nand/nor gates didn't teach me a lot
about antennas.

Thanks in advance for any help you all can offer.
Glenn Pavlovic

On 1 Mar 2004 13:31:48 -0800, (Glenn
Pavlovic) wrote:
So, does anyone know where I can find more information on how this
thing works and what I need to be careful about in constructing them?
Any other pointers or information would be appreciated.

Hi Glenn,

Meander is a pseudonym for Hocus-Pocus. The designer did what it took
to achieve the desired result. Being unable to describe it
coherently, the fall back position is to call it a Meander Line. In
this regard, construction details should be followed without question
or substitution to obtain the same results, maybe.

Meander typically suggests the largest antenna in the smallest box
without degrading its results over a simpler design (which has every
chance of being equally successful). You may, in the course of
investigation, find any amount of rationale - much of which presumes
you believe in the boogey-man. If you want examples of the mother of
all meanders, consult:
http://www.qsl.net/kb7qhc/antenna/fractal/index.htm

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Glenn Pavlovic wrote:
"Any other pointers or information would be appreciated,"

Glenn Miller, I think his square moniker was Alton Gllenn Miller was
born 100 years ago today. He lucked out with a weekly program on radio
for his band. It was "The Chesterfield Supper Club" advertising
cigarettes. His mother was a member in good standing of The Women`s
Christian Temberance Union and an arch enemy of tobacco as well. When
mom met with the other ladies, they chided her about Glenn`s new
sponsor. Mom said that of course nobody should smoke, but if they were
adicted, they should be sure their cigarettes were Chesterfield
cigarettes.

I lived in Portugal for a number of years and traveled several times
across southern Spain to go and return between Lisbon and Seville. I
gained a new respect for the word "meander" after crossing and
recrossing the Rio Meander countless times.

Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI

On Mon, 1 Mar 2004 21:29:05 -0600 (CST),
(Richard Harrison) wrote:

from Glenn to meander... I was wondering how you were going to pull
that one off. ;-)

Richard Clark, KB7QHC wrote:
"---from Glenn to meander..."

Pardon the pun. A glen is ia valley. A meander is a river.

Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI

Richard Clark wrote in message . ..
On Mon, 1 Mar 2004 21:29:05 -0600 (CST),
(Richard Harrison) wrote:

from Glenn to meander... I was wondering how you were going to pull
that one off. ;-)

science and humor in one place, Who knew?g

So does that make it techumor?...Okay so I couldn't make a living as a
stand up comic.

Thanks for the help. I shall attempt to follow the directions
slavishly. And then ignore them and do what seems to work!

Glenn