[TenTec] Radial Research

[Stuart Rohre]

James,
In addition to the two books you mentioned, it would be good to get the 
publications by L. B. Cebik from his memorial web site:  www.cebik.com

He has technical papers on many antenna topics.  He writes at a very 
readable level.  (He taught for many years).

Don't get too hung up by SWR.  All power is eventually radiated even 
after reflections, minus cable losses.  The 43 foot antenna is just a 
concept of a compromise length that with matching networks can be used 
on a variety of bands.

You can transform less than perfect impedance matches when close to each 
other in magnitude, with low loss, or accept the slight mismatch of 55 
ohms vs. 50 ohm typical feed coax.

The other essential to understanding antennas is "Reflections III" by 
Walter Maxwell, W2DU.  Even his first version on web is very 
instructive.  You may need to read it more than once.

Actually, I belong to the school of thought you cannot have too many 
antenna books.  Each one usually gives me some extra concept or way of 
looking at things which increases understanding.

I think some of the conceptual instruction by John Kraus, W8JK, in 
"Antennas" 2nd Ed. is inspired.  He first clarified for me the concept 
of how antenna radiation happens.  Something that was a great hand 
waving mystery when first encountered early in my ham life.

Everyone has their favorite antenna books.  Errors creep into the ones 
oriented in presenting how to build antenna X.  But, Kraus for example 
has endured as a classic text.

73,
Stuart Rohre
K5KVH