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Tzitzikas wrote:
"I know that when we use an inverted L the radials increase the antenna`s efficiency." The same is true of any antenna which works against the earth to complete its circuit. Radials at the surface of the earth may be increased in number until there are more than 100 where the point of diminishing returns is exceeded. U.S.A. government regulations require medium-wave broadcasters to use 120 radials of at least 1/4-wave length or else prove the installed grounding system meets or exceeds the government`s efficiency standard. These radials are separated by 3 degrees for equal current distribution. Thousands of such installations have been documentedand and are proved nearly lossless. Tzitzikas also wrote: "I would like to ask which antenna is better for 160m?" The radiation which counts is along the surface of the earth because it determines daytime coverage. Ionospheric coverage is useful at night subject to many variations and even interferes with the surface wave at some distance from the transmitter. If some of the radiatinng antenna wire is horizontal, it may introduce radiation which escapes to the ionosphere to interfere with the surface wave at some distance from the transmitter unless it is carefully balanced out as in the case of the T antenna or other antennas with symmetrical balanced capacitive loading. First, an antenna which is self-resonant presents no capacitive reactance, which needs a lossy coil to balance out. The shortest self-resonant antenna works against ground and is 1/4-wavelength. That makes them popular. It`s a matter of getting maximum current into the antenna. A resonant antenna is unimpeded by reactance. If an antenna is between 1/4-wave and 1/2-wave in length it can be resonated with a series capacitance. Capacitance is usually very low in loss so it is efficient. As an antenna grows from 1/4-wave to 1/2-wave it produces greater field strength on the distant horizon, not because it is more efficient but because its power is being radiated at lower angles near the surface of the earth and less is radiated at angles above the horizon. Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI |
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