On Sun, 09 Jul 2006 13:33:43 -0700, in alt.internet.wireless , Jeff
Liebermann wrote:

[misc.consumers.frugal-living dropped from distribution list.]

Roy Lewallen hath wroth:

John is correct. A receiving antenna, when matched, reradiates half the
power it receives.

If a receiving antenna did absorb all the impinging power, it would be a
lot easier to make a shield or a stealth aircraft.


I'm not so sure. I couldn't find any specific references to this
effect in several books I skimmed.

I trust your judgement in such matters and you have far more expience
than me, but something seems wrong or I'm missing something. Can you
point me to any books or refernences? I just skimmed Chapter 2
(Fundamentals of Antennas) in "Antenna Engineering Handbook" by Jasik
(1961) and found no obvious mention of this effect.

Scroggie's "Foundations of Wireless", the book I cut my teeth on (and
my father before me...) mentions this in the chapter on Radiation and
Aerials where he describes the reratiation as a fact of great
importance in recieving aerial design.

I think however Rod's final remark is perhaps the most telling - if an
antenna really did absorb all the energy landing on it, there would be
highly curious side effects.
--
Mark McIntyre