[Phillip Beall (W5EBC)]

Courtesy of Cliff Leath (KI5OPP).  Download, print, whatever suits you.  – Phillip Beall (W5EBC)

[Jerry Keisler (WA5KZA)]

Just a note on SWR. 2:1 is 10% reflected and 3:1 is 25% reflected. Most built in antenna tuners will only correct up to 3:1

[Steven Smith (KG5VK)]

Lower SWR = Better performance – Not always.

Take for example a 1/4 wave vertical ground mounted with one ground rod, no radials

the SWR will be very low what most consider a nice match

However, the energy will mostly be going into the earth

add 30 radials or more and the SWR will actually climb
as the new feed point impedance is closer to 30 ohms versus 49 ohms

Solution and a small matching network
Your ability to work many more stations will improve over the simple antenna with a low SWR

Moral of the story is SWR does NOT mean Everything
Understand the effects of Ground loss when it comes to Vertical antennas

Cheers!
Steve KG5VK

 

[Jerry Keisler (WA5KZA)]

Also true of very small wire.  I had an 80 meter antenna made of 36 AWG at one time for stealth.  It loaded fine but very few stations could hear me.

[Author]

Posts