SUBELEMENT T9
[2 Exam Questions - 2 Groups]
SUBELEMENT T9 – Antennas and
Feedlines
T9 – Antennas and Feedlines
T9A - Antennas; vertical and horizontal, concept of
gain, common portable and mobile antennas,
relationships between antenna length and frequency
T9B - Feedlines; types, losses vs. frequency, SWR
concepts, matching weather protection, connectors
Microhams 2010 Technician
2
Antenna Classifications
Orientation
Horizontal – parallel to the Earth
Vertical – perpendicular to the
Earth
Directivity (Beam)
Yagi, Log Periodic, Quad, Dish
Size
Wavelength – λ
½ λ, ¼ λ, ⅝ λ, …
3
Radio Waves, Propagation
and Antennas
Horizontal Antennas
Half Wavelength Dipole Antenna)
Half wavelength
from formula
Solder
Spacer
Open wire
feeder
Half wavelength
Wavelength (meters) =
300
F (MHz)
Meters to inches
½λ Dipole length (inches) = Wavelength / 2 x 39
4
Radio Waves, Propagation
and Antennas
½ λ Dipole Radiation
Radiation pattern for a
dipole placed ½ λ
above ground looking
down from above the
antenna.
Looks like a doughnut
around the wire in 3D
space.
Pattern distorts to
omnidirectional when
placed low to the ground.
5
Radio Waves, Propagation
and Antennas
Vertical Antennas
(Quarter Wavelength Vertical)
Radials
Ground Plane
Ground
Marconi
Ground Plane
300
Wavelength (meters) =
F (MHz)
Quarter wavelength
Meters to inches
¼λ vertical length (inches) = Wavelength / 4 x 39
6
Radio Waves, Propagation
and Antennas
Quarter Wave Vertical Radiation
Perfect Ground
Average Ground
Maximum Radiation Angle
Elevation
0 dB= 5.10 dBi
7.150 MHz
A side view of the radiation pattern of a 1/4 wave vertical.
From above the pattern is round like a doughnut. A perfect
ground would be the center of a metal car roof at VHF/UHF.
7
Radio Waves, Propagation
and Antennas
8
The director
acts like a
lens
Boom
Director
Feedline
Reflector
The reflector
acts like a
mirror
Driven Element
Beam Antennas
(Yagi Antenna)
Gain
Radio Waves, Propagation
and Antennas
Yagi Radiation Pattern
The yagi antenna focuses
RF energy in one direction,
giving the appearance of
getting “free power.”
This free power or
Effective Radiated Power
(ERP) can be expressed as
antenna Gain in Decibels
(dB) over a dipole (dBd) or
isotropic resonator (dBi).
9
Radio Waves, Propagation
and Antennas
T9A01 What is a beam antenna?
A. An antenna built from aluminum I-beams
B. An omnidirectional antenna invented by Clarence
Beam
C. An antenna that concentrates signals in one direction
D. An antenna that reverses the phase of received
signals
T9A01 What is a beam antenna?
A. An antenna built from aluminum I-beams
B. An omnidirectional antenna invented by Clarence
Beam
C.
An antenna that concentrates signals in
one direction
D. An antenna that reverses the phase of received
signals
T9A02 Which of the following is true
regarding vertical antennas?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The magnetic field is perpendicular to the Earth
The electric field is perpendicular to the Earth
The phase is inverted
The phase is reversed
T9A02 Which of the following is true
regarding vertical antennas?
A. The magnetic field is perpendicular to the Earth
B.
The electric field is perpendicular to the
Earth
C. The phase is inverted
D. The phase is reversed
T9A03 Which of the following describes a
simple dipole mounted so the conductor is
parallel to the Earth's surface?
A.
B.
C.
D.
A ground wave antenna
A horizontally polarized antenna
A rhombic antenna
A vertically polarized antenna
T9A03 Which of the following describes a
simple dipole mounted so the conductor is
parallel to the Earth's surface?
A. A ground wave antenna
B.
A horizontally polarized antenna
C. A rhombic antenna
D. A vertically polarized antenna
T9A04 What is a disadvantage of the
"rubber duck" antenna supplied with most
handheld radio transceivers?
A. It does not transmit or receive as effectively as a fullsized antenna
B. It transmits a circularly polarized signal
C. If the rubber end cap is lost it will unravel very quickly
D. All of these choices are correct
T9A04 What is a disadvantage of the "rubber
duck" antenna supplied with most handheld
radio transceivers?
A.
It does not transmit or receive as effectively
as a full-sized antenna
B. It transmits a circularly polarized signal
C. If the rubber end cap is lost it will unravel very quickly
D. All of these choices are correct
T9A05 How would you change a dipole
antenna to make it resonant on a higher
frequency?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Lengthen it
Insert coils in series with radiating wires
Shorten it
Add capacity hats to the ends of the radiating wires
T9A05 How would you change a dipole
antenna to make it resonant on a higher
frequency?
A. Lengthen it
B. Insert coils in series with radiating wires
C.
Shorten it
D. Add capacity hats to the ends of the radiating wires
T9A06 What type of antennas are the quad,
Yagi, and dish?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Non-resonant antennas
Loop antennas
Directional antennas
Isotropic antennas
T9A06 What type of antennas are the quad,
Yagi, and dish?
A. Non-resonant antennas
B. Loop antennas
C.
Directional antennas
D. Isotropic antennas
T9A07 What is a good reason not to use a
"rubber duck" antenna inside your car?
A. Signals can be significantly weaker than when it is
outside of the vehicle
B. It might cause your radio to overheat
C. The SWR might decrease, decreasing the signal
strength
D. All of these choices are correct
T9A07 What is a good reason not to use a
"rubber duck" antenna inside your car?
A.
Signals can be significantly weaker than
when it is outside of the vehicle
B. It might cause your radio to overheat
C. The SWR might decrease, decreasing the signal
strength
D. All of these choices are correct
T9A08 What is the approximate length, in
inches, of a quarter-wavelength vertical
antenna for 146 MHz?
A.
B.
C.
D.
112
50
19
12
Calculating Vertical Antenna Length
Precisely:
300
= 300 = 2.05 meter wavelength
146
F (MHz)
2.05 meters / 4 x 39 inches = 20 inches
Approximately:
146 MHz is the 2m band
¼ of 2m is 0.5m
1m is 39 inches, so 0.5m is 19.5 inches
Note this is based on free space wavelength. A wave traveling through
wire will be slower and have a shorter wavelength. A physical antenna
will be smaller.
25
Radio Waves, Propagation
and Antennas
T9A08 What is the approximate length, in
inches, of a quarter-wavelength vertical
antenna for 146 MHz?
A. 112
B. 50
C.
19
D. 12
T9A09 What is the approximate length, in
inches, of a 6 meter 1/2-wavelength wire
dipole antenna?
A.
B.
C.
D.
6
50
112
236
Calculating Dipole Antenna Length
Precisely:
300
= 300 = 6 meter wavelength
50
F (MHz)
6 meters / 2 x 39 inches = 117 inches
Approximately:
6m band
½ of 6m is 3m
1m is 39 inches, so 3m is 117 inches
Note this is based on free space wavelength. A wave traveling through
wire will be slower and have a shorter wavelength. A physical antenna
will be smaller.
28
Radio Waves, Propagation
and Antennas
T9A09 What is the approximate length, in
inches, of a 6 meter 1/2-wavelength wire
dipole antenna?
A. 6
B. 50
C.
112
D. 236
T9A10 In which direction is the radiation
strongest from a half-wave dipole antenna
in free space?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Equally in all directions
Off the ends of the antenna
Broadside to the antenna
In the direction of the feedline
T9A10 In which direction is the radiation
strongest from a half-wave dipole antenna in
free space?
A. Equally in all directions
B. Off the ends of the antenna
C.
Broadside to the antenna
D. In the direction of the feedline
T9A11 What is meant by the gain of an
antenna?
A. The additional power that is added to the transmitter
power
B. The additional power that is lost in the antenna when
transmitting on a higher frequency
C. The increase in signal strength in a specified direction
when compared to a reference antenna
D. The increase in impedance on receive or transmit
compared to a reference antenna
T9A11 What is meant by the gain of an
antenna?
A. The additional power that is added to the transmitter
power
B. The additional power that is lost in the antenna when
transmitting on a higher frequency
C.
The increase in signal strength in a
specified direction when compared to a
reference antenna
D. The increase in impedance on receive or transmit
compared to a reference antenna
Load Matching
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34
Amateur transceivers have a 50 ohm output impedance
Coax and antennas should be as close to 50 ohms as
possible to insure maximum power transfer
Any mismatch creates “standing waves” that can be
measured with an SWR or directional watt meter
An SWR of 1:1 indicates perfect power transfer
As SWR increases above 2:1, modern transmitters will
automatically reduce output to protect from damage
All feed lines have “loss” that increases with frequency
and length caused by resistance in the line
Standing waves will eventually be either radiated or
lost as heat in the feed line
Radio Waves, Propagation
and Antennas
Standing Waves
35
Radio Waves, Propagation
and Antennas
T9B01 Why is it important to have a low
SWR in an antenna system that uses
coaxial cable feedline?
A. To reduce television interference
B. To allow the efficient transfer of power and reduce
losses
C. To prolong antenna life
D. All of these choices are correct
T9B01 Why is it important to have a low SWR
in an antenna system that uses coaxial cable
feedline?
A. To reduce television interference
B.
To allow the efficient transfer of power and
reduce losses
C. To prolong antenna life
D. All of these choices are correct
T9B02 What is the impedance of the most
commonly used coaxial cable in typical
amateur radio installations?
A.
B.
C.
D.
8 ohms
50 ohms
600 ohms
12 ohms
T9B02 What is the impedance of the most
commonly used coaxial cable in typical
amateur radio installations?
A. 8 ohms
B.
50 ohms
C. 600 ohms
D. 12 ohms
T9B03 Why is coaxial cable used more
often than any other feedline for amateur
radio antenna systems?
A. It is easy to use and requires few special installation
considerations
B. It has less loss than any other type of feedline
C. It can handle more power than any other type of
feedline
D. It is less expensive than any other types of feedline
T9B03 Why is coaxial cable used more often
than any other feedline for amateur radio
antenna systems?
A.
It is easy to use and requires few special
installation considerations
B. It has less loss than any other type of feedline
C. It can handle more power than any other type of
feedline
D. It is less expensive than any other types of feedline
T9B04 What does an antenna tuner do?
A. It matches the antenna system impedance to the
transceiver's output impedance
B. It helps a receiver automatically tune in weak stations
C. It allows an antenna to be used on both transmit and
receive
D. It automatically selects the proper antenna for the
frequency band being used
T9B04 What does an antenna tuner do?
A.
It matches the antenna system impedance
to the transceiver's output impedance
B. It helps a receiver automatically tune in weak stations
C. It allows an antenna to be used on both transmit and
receive
D. It automatically selects the proper antenna for the
frequency band being used
T9B05 What generally happens as the
frequency of a signal passing through
coaxial cable is increased?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The apparent SWR increases
The reflected power increases
The characteristic impedance increases
The loss increases
T9B05 What generally happens as the
frequency of a signal passing through coaxial
cable is increased?
A. The apparent SWR increases
B. The reflected power increases
C. The characteristic impedance increases
D.
The loss increases
T9B06 Which of the following connectors
is most suitable for frequencies above 400
MHz?
A.
B.
C.
D.
A UHF (PL-259/SO-239) connector
A Type N connector
An RS-213 connector
A DB-23 connector
T9B06 Which of the following connectors is
most suitable for frequencies above 400
MHz?
A. A UHF (PL-259/SO-239) connector
B.
A Type N connector
C. An RS-213 connector
D. A DB-23 connector
T9B07 Which of the following is true of PL259 type coax connectors?
A.
B.
C.
D.
They are good for UHF frequencies
They are water tight
The are commonly used at HF frequencies
They are a bayonet type connector
T9B07 Which of the following is true of PL-259
type coax connectors?
A. They are good for UHF frequencies
B. They are water tight
C.
The are commonly used at HF frequencies
D. They are a bayonet type connector
T9B08 Why should coax connectors
exposed to the weather be sealed against
water intrusion?
A.
B.
C.
D.
To prevent an increase in feedline loss
To prevent interference to telephones
To keep the jacket from becoming loose
All of these choices are correct
T9B08 Why should coax connectors exposed
to the weather be sealed against water
intrusion?
A.
To prevent an increase in feedline loss
B. To prevent interference to telephones
C. To keep the jacket from becoming loose
D. All of these choices are correct
T9B09 What might cause erratic changes
in SWR readings?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The transmitter is being modulated
A loose connection in an antenna or a feedline
The transmitter is being over-modulated
Interference from other stations is distorting your signal
T9B09 What might cause erratic changes in
SWR readings?
A. The transmitter is being modulated
B.
A loose connection in an antenna or a
feedline
C. The transmitter is being over-modulated
D. Interference from other stations is distorting your signal
T9B10 What electrical difference exists
between the smaller RG-58 and larger RG-8
coaxial cables?
A. There is no significant difference between the two
types
B. RG-58 cable has less loss at a given frequency
C. RG-8 cable has less loss at a given frequency
D. RG-58 cable can handle higher power levels
T9B10 What electrical difference exists
between the smaller RG-58 and larger RG-8
coaxial cables?
A. There is no significant difference between the two
types
B. RG-58 cable has less loss at a given frequency
C.
RG-8 cable has less loss at a given
frequency
D. RG-58 cable can handle higher power levels
T9B11 Which of the following types of
feedline has the lowest loss at VHF and
UHF?
A.
B.
C.
D.
50-ohm flexible coax
Multi-conductor unbalanced cable
Air-insulated hard line
75-ohm flexible coax
T9B11 Which of the following types of feedline
has the lowest loss at VHF and UHF?
A. 50-ohm flexible coax
B. Multi-conductor unbalanced cable
C.
Air-insulated hard line
D. 75-ohm flexible coax
SUBELEMENT T9
[2 exam questions – 2 groups]
Microhams 2010 Technician
58