Topband: T-antenna
Joe Subich, K4IK
k4ik at subich.com
Wed Jan 26 11:22:50 EST 2005
David,
> the first antenna has a radiation resistance of 10 ohms while
> the flat top is 8 ohms. What I don't know is what the
> equivalent ground loss resistance is. I guesstimate 25 ohms.
> If so, the difference between the two antennas is 0.7 dB.
> With a 50 ohm ground the difference is 0.8 dB. With a 12.5
> ohm ground the difference is 0.6 dB. To me it looks like a
> wash- I would use the flat top rather than put the inverted-l
> back up. If one dB or so matters to you (and it does to the
> big guns) then the inverted-L might be worth the effort.
There are several considerations for a T antenna vs. inverted L.
1) the horizontal section of a T antenna is about 50% longer
than the horizontal section for an inverted L when the
vertical section is the same length. If one has limited
space or must mount the vertical section at one end of a
space, the inverted L is indicated.
2) The inverted L has a slightly higher feed impedance (as
you indicate). This will result in marginally higher
efficiency for the same ground system. However, if an
inverted L is mounted at one edge of a space and the
ground system is not uniform, moving the vertical section
to the center of an area might provide the opportunity
to install a more efficient ground system.
3) The inverted L has a slight degree of pattern asymmetry
about 2 dB in the direction opposite the horizontal wire.
To some people, that may be significant.
4) The inverted L has a high angle, horizontally polarized
lobe. Depending on height of the vertical element, the
high angle lobe can be as strong as the low angle lobe
... and will certainly hear more close in QRM/QRN.
73,
... Joe, K4IK
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