[TowerTalk] The Antenna System

[Jim Lux]

On 4/21/12 8:12 AM, Ward Silver wrote:
> I'm really enjoying the multiple threads and discussions that started with baluns and have come around to an analysis of the entire antenna system.
>
> That changing just one element of the entire system in isolation is unrealistic is a key point that most hams do not appreciate - indeed, they rarely hear that point of view.  They learn about antennas as one independent thing, feed lines are another thing, baluns a third thing, and so forth.  Thus, they tend to analyze and troubleshoot and modify assuming changes "here" don't affect behavior "there".  Since changing almost any part of the system affects the entire system, the results are wildly inconsistent and often mystifying - as noted by Ian and others.  At any rate, the discussions have provided numerous examples to use in explaining antenna system behavior to our clubs and fellow hams (and in my case, readers) - thanks.
>
> Also, it would greatly facilitate the discussion were we to be able to include drawings - I noticed several misunderstandings that would not have occured if the text was accompanied by graphics.  I can tell that many writing hours have been consumed trying to write clearly in a pure text environment!
>
picture, 1000 words, and all that..