Basic Wire Antennas: University of Technology Electricity Department Communication Branch

University of Technology
Electricity Department
Communication Branch
Basic Wire
Antennas
Antenna Overview 1
An antenna is a device that: Converts RF power
applied to its feed point into electromagnetic radiation.
Intercepts energy from a passing electromagnetic

radiation, which appears as RF voltage across the
antennas feed point.
The intensity of the radiation launched by the

antenna is generally not the same in all
directions. This radiation pattern is the same
whether the antenna is used to transmit or
receive signals
The ratio of the maximum radiation by a given
antenna to the radiation of a reference in the
same direction is called the directivity:
Antenna Overview 2
The feed point impedance of an antenna is generally

complex. The real component has two components:
Loss resistance due to the conductivity of the antenna itself

and losses caused by other objects near the antenna (such as
the ground)
Radiation resistance, which represents the transfer of power

from the antenna into the radiated field.
Both directivity and impedance are dependent of the

frequency of the RF
Antenna Overview 3
Antennas can be composed of any conductive

material, although high conductivity materials such as
aluminum and copper are the best choices.
RF currents in a conductor flow only near the

conductors surface; thus antennas can be made from
hollow tubing, without compromising performance.
Meshed elements may be used, provided that the

holes in the mesh are much smaller (a factor of 10 or
more) than the wavelength at which the antenna will
be used.
Dipole Fundamentals
A dipole is antenna
composed of a single
radiating element split
into two sections, not
necessarily of equal
length.
The RF power is fed

into the split.
The radiators do not

have to be straight.
Dipole Characteristics
Electrical length - the overall length of the dipole

in wavelengths at the frequency of interest.
Directivity - the ratio of the maximum radiation of
an antenna to the maximum radiation of a
reference antenna. It is often measured in dBi, dB
above an isotropic (non-directional) radiator.
Self Impedance - the impedance at the antennas
feed point.
Radiation Resistance - an imagination resistance
that represents power flowing out of the antenna
Radiation Pattern - the intensity of the radiated
RF as a function of direction.
The Short Dipole
The length is less than

/2.
The self impedance is
generally capacitive.
The radiation resistance is
quite small and ohmic
losses are high
SWR bandwidth is quite
small, ~ 2% of design
frequency.
Directivity is ~1.8 dBi.
Radiation pattern
resembles figure 8
The Short Dipole
For dipoles longer than

/5, the antenna can be
matched to coax by using
loading coils
For best results, the coils
are placed in the middle
of each leg of the dipole
Loading coils can
introduce additional loss
of 1 dB or more
For dipoles longer than
/3 the antenna can be
matched to coax by using
linear loading
The Half Wave (/2) Dipole
Length is approximately
/2 (0.48 for wire
dipoles)
Self impedance is 40 70 ohms with no

reactive component
(good match to coax)
Directivity ~ 2.1 dBi
SWR Bandwidth is ~ 5%
of design frequency
Harmonic Operation of /2
Dipoles
A /2 dipole is also resonant at integral

multiples of its resonant frequency.
The self impedance of a /2 dipole at odd
multiples of the resonant frequency is 100 150 ohms.
The self impedance at even multiples is >
1000 ohms
The directivity is never greater than the
extended double Zepp.
The pattern is very complex, with many
side lobes.
The Full Wave Dipole (Double Zepp)
(0.99 for wire
dipoles)
Self impedance is ~ 6000

ohms.
Antenna can be matched

to coax with a 450 ohm
series matching section
Directivity ~ 3.8 dBi
SWR Bandwidth ~ 5% of
design frequency
The Extended Double Zepp
1.28
Self impedance is approx.

150 - 800 ohms

to 50 ohm coax with a
series matching section
Directivity ~ 5.0 dBi. This

is the maximum broadside
directivity for a center-fed
wire antenna
17 Meter double Zepp Antenna
The 3/2 Dipole
1.48
Self impedance ~ 110
ohms
to 50 ohm coax with
quarter wave 75 ohm
matching section
Directivity ~ 3.3 dBi.
Directions of max radiation
point to all areas of
interest for HF and long
distance when antenna
wire runs electric wave
Dual Band Dipole
It is possible to select the length

of a dipole and its series matching
section such that low SWR can be
obtained on two bands
The SWR bandwidth of this type of

dipole is less than a regular
dipole; full band coverage is not
possible on most HF bands
Note: the dipole alone is generally

not resonant on either band
Off-Center Fed Dipole (OCD)
By moving the feed point

away from the center, it
is possible to have a low
feed point impedance at
frequencies other than
the odd multiples of the
resonant frequency
The feed point
impedance of an OCD is
>100 ohms, necessitating
use of a transformer at
the feed point
The
relationship between feed

position and feed impedance is
very complex, but in general as
the feed moves towards away
from the center, the impedance
increases and the number of
harmonics with low impedance
resonance increases.
Use of a dipole on several bands
It is possible to use a center fed dipole over a

wide range of frequencies by:
feeding it with low-loss transmission line (ladder line)
providing impedance matching at the transceiver
The lower frequency limit is set by the capability

of the matching network. Typically a dipole can be
used down to 1/2 of its resonant frequency.
The radiation pattern becomes very complex at
higher frequencies. Most of the radiation is in two
conical regions centered on each wire
There is no special length, since the antenna will
not be resonates
Dipole Polarization
On the HF bands dipoles are

almost always horizontally
polarized. It is not possible to
get a low angle of radiation
with a vertical dipole
(electrically) close to the
earth
Reflection losses are also

greater for vertically
polarized RF
The height of the support

required for a vertical dipole
can also be a problem
Putting up a Dipole
A dipole
may be erected
between 2 supports or with
one support.
A dipole
antenna using a
single support is known as
an inverted-V
The
legs of a dipole may

also be bent to form an
inverted U. The bend
should be at least half way
to the end of the wire
Dipole Antenna Materials
Wire
#14 Copperweld
very strong
kinks
does not stretch
subject to corrosion
very easily; it is difficult to work with
#14 stranded copper wire with vinyl insulation
moderately strong
easy to work with, does not kink
can stretch under high tension (a problem with long antennas)
does not corrode
Monel trolling wire
strong
much higher resitivity than copper
corrosion resistant
Dipole Antenna Materials
Insulators
ceramic
strong
resist very high voltages
not affected by sunlight
expensive
plastic
weaker than ceramic insulators
resist moderately high voltages
can be degraded by sunlight
relatively inexpensive
Dipole Antenna Supports
Almost any structure can be used to support a

dipole
The antenna should be kept at least 12 inches
away from a conducting support.
If trees are used, leave some slack in the antenna
so that swaying of the branches does not snap the
wire
The support should be tall enough that the dipole
is at least 1/2 wavelength about the surrounding
region (/2 =492/f)
Other useful information
Do not run a dipole above power lines!!!!

When the feed line leaves the dipole, it should run
perpendicular to the dipole for at least 1/4
wavelength
Avoid running the dipole parallel to long conducting
objects such as aluminum gutters. The antenna can
couple to the other metal and be detuned
When erecting (Install) a dipole as an inverted-V,
remember that the voltage at the ends of the
antenna may be above 1000 V. The ends of the
antenna should not be so close to ground that a
person could touch them
When erecting an inverted-V, the angle between
the wires should be greater than 90 degrees
Antenna Comparison

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What are the main components of an antenna?

What are the main components of an antenna?

What factors affect an antenna's directivity and impedance?

What factors affect an antenna's directivity and impedance?

University of Technology

An antenna is a device that: Converts RF power

applied to its feed point into electromagnetic radiation.

Intercepts energy from a passing electromagnetic

The intensity of the radiation launched by the

The feed point impedance of an antenna is generally

Loss resistance due to the conductivity of the antenna itself

Radiation resistance, which represents the transfer of power

Both directivity and impedance are dependent of the

Antennas can be composed of any conductive

RF currents in a conductor flow only near the

Meshed elements may be used, provided that the

The RF power is fed

The radiators do not

Electrical length - the overall length of the dipole

The Short Dipole

The length is less than

The Short Dipole

For dipoles longer than

The Half Wave (/2) Dipole

Self impedance is 40 70 ohms with no

Directivity ~ 2.1 dBi

A /2 dipole is also resonant at integral

The Full Wave Dipole (Double Zepp)

Self impedance is ~ 6000

Antenna can be matched

Directivity ~ 3.8 dBi

The Extended Double Zepp

Self impedance is approx.

Antenna can be matched

Directivity ~ 5.0 dBi. This

17 Meter double Zepp Antenna

The 3/2 Dipole

Dual Band Dipole

It is possible to select the length

The SWR bandwidth of this type of

Note: the dipole alone is generally

Off-Center Fed Dipole (OCD)

By moving the feed point

relationship between feed

Use of a dipole on several bands

It is possible to use a center fed dipole over a

feeding it with low-loss transmission line (ladder line)

providing impedance matching at the transceiver

The lower frequency limit is set by the capability

On the HF bands dipoles are

Reflection losses are also

The height of the support

legs of a dipole may

Dipole Antenna Materials

does not stretch

very easily; it is difficult to work with

#14 stranded copper wire with vinyl insulation

easy to work with, does not kink