Imagine a short rod vertical aerial not connected to ground, for the
(say) 160/80/60/40m bands, as might be found in a typical /M set-up, fed
with RF energy and operating over ground of average conductivity.

Three different waves will be launched from this: the sky wave, the
space wave (including the reflected ray), and the surface wave. Each of
these have their own characteristics, inasmuch as the sky wave is
launched willy-nilly even if the band isn't open for that mode, the
space wave depends on the path to the receiver, and the surface wave
depends on the electromagnetic characteristics of the air and the
surface material, although to some extent the latter affects all the
waves generated.

My question is: since all these result from the emission of RF from the
short rod antenna, what proportions of the total RF power supplied to it
are found in each of these three separate waves, and what factors
control these proportions?

--
Spike

"Hard cases, it has frequently been observed, are apt to introduce bad
law". Judge Rolfe

In rec.radio.amateur.antenna Spike wrote:

Imagine a short rod vertical aerial not connected to ground, for the
(say) 160/80/60/40m bands, as might be found in a typical /M set-up, fed
with RF energy and operating over ground of average conductivity.

Three different waves will be launched from this:

Nope; An antenna, any antenna, has a radiation pattern which is a
representation of the amount of energy radiated in any particular direction.

See this:

http://www.antenna-theory.com/basics/radPattern.html

The first pattern shown is typical for a vertical antenna.

There are no "waves" in the sense you are using the word.

--
Jim Pennino

On 3/6/2015 6:02 PM, Spike wrote:

Imagine a short rod vertical aerial not connected to ground, for the
(say) 160/80/60/40m bands, as might be found in a typical /M set-up, fed
with RF energy and operating over ground of average conductivity.

Three different waves will be launched from this: the sky wave, the
space wave (including the reflected ray), and the surface wave. Each of
these have their own characteristics, inasmuch as the sky wave is
launched willy-nilly even if the band isn't open for that mode, the
space wave depends on the path to the receiver, and the surface wave
depends on the electromagnetic characteristics of the air and the
surface material, although to some extent the latter affects all the
waves generated.

My question is: since all these result from the emission of RF from the
short rod antenna, what proportions of the total RF power supplied to it
are found in each of these three separate waves, and what factors
control these proportions?


That depends entirely on the radiation pattern of the antenna. For
instance, the sky wave will be that part of the pattern which has fairly
high angle of radiation (but lower than the space wave), and the surface
wave will have a very low angle of radiation.

All of them depend on the characteristics of the antenna, the ground
system, the phase of the moon and how you hold your left foot with your
right hand when transmitting.

What you need to do is model your specific antenna to see what the
vertical pattern is in your particular installation. It can vary
significantly from one to another.

And BTW - don't worry about the trolls who have no idea what they are
talking about - but insist on showing their ignorance, anyway.

--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry, AI0K

==================

On Friday, March 6, 2015 at 7:31:12 PM UTC-6, Jerry Stuckle wrote:

That depends entirely on the radiation pattern of the antenna. For
instance, the sky wave will be that part of the pattern which has fairly
high angle of radiation (but lower than the space wave), and the surface
wave will have a very low angle of radiation.

The space wave will be quite low angle if working from one point
on the earth to another point on the earth. Strictly speaking, a
space wave could be at any angle, if you include talking from the
earth to someone in space. Earth to ISS is space wave.
The signals one receives from a local VHF/UHF FM radio or TV station
are space wave. Two CB'ers talking to each other 5 miles apart are
using space wave. Only in the case of the earth dweller talking to
someone in space, or on the moon, etc would be using a space wave
at a higher angle than the usual angle needed for sky wave.

And on the high HF bands like 10m, in some cases the angles used
for skywave can be fairly low if working DX.
But those angles would still likely be a bit higher than terrestrial
earth to earth space wave communication.

True ground wave, which to me, is the same as the surface wave,
actually can follow the curvature of the earth, which a space wave
cannot do. But true ground or surface waves are generally only
taken advantage of on the lower frequencies such as MW, or LW.

But they can be used likely as high as say the 40m band in some
cases. I used to have a fairly stout ground wave on 40m when I
ran a high ground plane. And I think part of that energy was acting
as a surface wave and following the curvature of the earth.
The reason I think so, is because the distances I could work with it
were a good bit farther than what I would expect with the space wave
alone.
And I could use the space and surface wave in that case, no matter
what time of day or night, or regardless of the conditions needed for
sky wave between the two locations. So lots of times during the day
when the MUF dropped low enough to lose those people who were 100-150
miles away via sky wave, I was still able to work them via the ground
wave. The people using the dipoles and such could hardly hear a peep
out of the ones I was working in those cases.


And BTW - don't worry about the trolls who have no idea what they are
talking about - but insist on showing their ignorance, anyway.

We sure wouldn't want to have any of that, now would we.. :/

On Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 6:17:18 PM UTC-6, wrote:

But they can be used likely as high as say the 40m band in some
cases. I used to have a fairly stout ground wave on 40m when I
ran a high ground plane. And I think part of that energy was acting
as a surface wave and following the curvature of the earth.
The reason I think so, is because the distances I could work with it
were a good bit farther than what I would expect with the space wave
alone.

BTW, I could have been fooled a bit by refraction.. It is possible
for the space wave to go a bit farther than actual line of sight,
being as the radio horizon is a bit farther than the visual horizon.
Sometimes as much as a third the distance farther.
So it's hard to tell for sure which was which on 40m..
True surface wave propagation is great on MW in the daytime..
Night too, except that it's covered up by skywave clutter.. :/
My MW loops were good for receiving that, and I could totally null
out a ground/surface wave signal if I felt so compelled.

On 08/03/15 00:17, wrote:

True ground wave, which to me, is the same as the surface wave,
actually can follow the curvature of the earth, which a space wave
cannot do. But true ground or surface waves are generally only
taken advantage of on the lower frequencies such as MW, or LW.

That's true, which is a shame as useful ground-wave/surface wave can be
had on 28 MHz; a maximum range figure for a path over ground of average
conductivity might be 25 miles, and considerably more if the path is
over water (especially sea-water).

But they can be used likely as high as say the 40m band in some
cases. I used to have a fairly stout ground wave on 40m when I
ran a high ground plane. And I think part of that energy was acting
as a surface wave and following the curvature of the earth.

The reason I think so, is because the distances I could work with it
were a good bit farther than what I would expect with the space wave
alone.

Maximum surface wave over ground with average conductivity might be 40
to 45 miles on 40m; if you were getting ranges over this, then your
ground conductivity might have been enhanced, or due to the height of
your ground-plane, you could have experienced refraction of the space
wave. If your location was on a hill-top or other high ground, this
could have helped the space wave refraction as well.

And I could use the space and surface wave in that case, no matter
what time of day or night, or regardless of the conditions needed for
sky wave between the two locations. So lots of times during the day
when the MUF dropped low enough to lose those people who were 100-150
miles away via sky wave, I was still able to work them via the ground
wave. The people using the dipoles and such could hardly hear a peep
out of the ones I was working in those cases.

I believe that the availability 24/7/365 of the space-wave and
surface-wave is one of Amateur Radio's undervalued assets. On 160m the
surface wave might reach over 100 miles, including behind hills and into
valleys, which here in the UK would enable a station to reach a
significant proportion of the UK Amateur population. Unfortunately,
people dismiss verticals in favour of horizontals of one form or
another, the usefulness of which drops to zero when the sky wave
disappears (apart from any vertically-polarized radiation from a
mismatched feeder or unbalanced elements).

Thanks for your interesting observations.

--
Spike

"Hard cases, it has frequently been observed, are apt to introduce bad
law". Judge Rolfe

On Sunday, March 8, 2015 at 3:40:21 AM UTC-5, Spike wrote:
On 08/03/15 00:17, wrote:

True ground wave, which to me, is the same as the surface wave,
actually can follow the curvature of the earth, which a space wave
cannot do. But true ground or surface waves are generally only
taken advantage of on the lower frequencies such as MW, or LW.

That's true, which is a shame as useful ground-wave/surface wave can be
had on 28 MHz; a maximum range figure for a path over ground of average
conductivity might be 25 miles, and considerably more if the path is
over water (especially sea-water).

That's space wave on 10m. Even seeing a surface wave on 40m is a bit
of a stretch from the norm. As I mentioned in my 2nd post, the reason
I saw farther than expected from space wave operation on 40m, could
well have been due to refraction of the space wave, and due to the fact
that the radio horizon is farther than the visual horizon.

I used to work local 10m all the time back in the 80's, early 90's..
25 miles is fairly easy with any decent antenna, at a decent height
above ground. I used to work a good bit farther than that fairly often,
when using an antenna at 35-45 feet up.



The reason I think so, is because the distances I could work with it
were a good bit farther than what I would expect with the space wave
alone.

Maximum surface wave over ground with average conductivity might be 40
to 45 miles on 40m; if you were getting ranges over this, then your
ground conductivity might have been enhanced, or due to the height of
your ground-plane, you could have experienced refraction of the space
wave. If your location was on a hill-top or other high ground, this
could have helped the space wave refraction as well.

The ground is good here, and the ground plane was full size at 36 ft
at the base of the antenna. But it may well have been an enhanced space
wave. I was often working well over 100 miles away in such a case.




I believe that the availability 24/7/365 of the space-wave and
surface-wave is one of Amateur Radio's undervalued assets. On 160m the
surface wave might reach over 100 miles, including behind hills and into
valleys, which here in the UK would enable a station to reach a
significant proportion of the UK Amateur population. Unfortunately,
people dismiss verticals in favour of horizontals of one form or
another, the usefulness of which drops to zero when the sky wave
disappears (apart from any vertically-polarized radiation from a
mismatched feeder or unbalanced elements).

Well, not everyone does. I know many on 160m who favor verticals.
Not only for ground wave, but better DX.
The ground wave is pretty good on 160m if using a vertical.
Nearly as good as on the MW AM broadcast band, being the two bands
are right next door to each other, so to speak.

On 08/03/15 20:06, wrote:
On Sunday, March 8, 2015 at 3:40:21 AM UTC-5, Spike wrote:
On 08/03/15 00:17, wrote:

True ground wave, which to me, is the same as the surface wave,
actually can follow the curvature of the earth, which a space wave
cannot do. But true ground or surface waves are generally only
taken advantage of on the lower frequencies such as MW, or LW.

That's true, which is a shame as useful ground-wave/surface wave can be
had on 28 MHz; a maximum range figure for a path over ground of average
conductivity might be 25 miles, and considerably more if the path is
over water (especially sea-water).

That's space wave on 10m. Even seeing a surface wave on 40m is a bit
of a stretch from the norm. As I mentioned in my 2nd post, the reason
I saw farther than expected from space wave operation on 40m, could
well have been due to refraction of the space wave, and due to the fact
that the radio horizon is farther than the visual horizon.

I used to work local 10m all the time back in the 80's, early 90's..
25 miles is fairly easy with any decent antenna, at a decent height
above ground. I used to work a good bit farther than that fairly often,
when using an antenna at 35-45 feet up.



The reason I think so, is because the distances I could work with it
were a good bit farther than what I would expect with the space wave
alone.

Maximum surface wave over ground with average conductivity might be 40
to 45 miles on 40m; if you were getting ranges over this, then your
ground conductivity might have been enhanced, or due to the height of
your ground-plane, you could have experienced refraction of the space
wave. If your location was on a hill-top or other high ground, this
could have helped the space wave refraction as well.

The ground is good here,

With respect, the difference in local ground is rather over stated.

Taking the US as an example, the conductivity ranges from 0.5mS to 30mS,
which sounds a lot. However, compared to sea water, 5000mS, it is all
rather poor.

I noticed this some years back when reading a paper, as I recall written
by the US Navy, which played down the importance of ground conductivity,
other when either at sea or in close proximity to the shore.

There is a world atlas of conductivity which is on the web, I can't
recall the URL, but it is worth looking out. The various seas and oceans
do vary, I recall the Baltic being less conductive for example.
Likewise, some of the patterns in the various countries are rather
intriguing. Some areas you would expect to be conductive are not. I
assume due to local rock formations etc.

On 08/03/15 20:06, wrote:
On Sunday, March 8, 2015 at 3:40:21 AM UTC-5, Spike wrote:

That's true, which is a shame as useful ground-wave/surface wave can be
had on 28 MHz; a maximum range figure for a path over ground of average
conductivity might be 25 miles, and considerably more if the path is
over water (especially sea-water).

That's space wave on 10m.

Not in the UK! Even the flatlands of Norfolk and Lincolnshire have
enough surface topography to make space-wave unlikely.

I used to work local 10m all the time back in the 80's, early 90's..
25 miles is fairly easy with any decent antenna, at a decent height
above ground. I used to work a good bit farther than that fairly often,
when using an antenna at 35-45 feet up.

The ground is good here, and the ground plane was full size at 36 ft
at the base of the antenna. But it may well have been an enhanced space
wave. I was often working well over 100 miles away in such a case.

I'd go for space-wave with refraction or tropo ducting, for these sorts
of ranges.

Well, not everyone does. I know many on 160m who favor verticals.
Not only for ground wave, but better DX.

Not in the UK... We have a progressive licensing system here, in which
most people never progress at all. The level they qualify at is more
concerned with how to fit mains plugs - something that isn't required
here as moulded plugs have been compulsory for 20 years. These people
tend to buy the one aerial they've heard of, the G5RV.

The ground wave is pretty good on 160m if using a vertical.
Nearly as good as on the MW AM broadcast band, being the two bands
are right next door to each other, so to speak.

I'm a big fan of 160m ground wave/surface wave.

--
Spike

"Hard cases, it has frequently been observed, are apt to introduce bad
law". Judge Rolfe

On 07/03/15 01:31, Jerry Stuckle wrote:

And BTW - don't worry about the trolls who have no idea what they are
talking about - but insist on showing their ignorance, anyway.

Your advice was noted at the time, Jerry, but thanks anyway.

Despite it, the trolls have now posted here; one didn't take out an HF
licence until the new code-less scheme passable by 5-year-olds became
available, and the other one had to ask advice, after being licensed at
the UK's top level, on which sideband to use.

Their contributions to this thread suggest the topics are way above both
of them, and I note the regulars here are also avoiding replying to them.

--
Spike

"Hard cases, it has frequently been observed, are apt to introduce bad
law". Judge Rolfe