Digital Modes Meanderings
The Most Essential Station Element
Anyone who has followed these digital meanderings this far probably has been asking, “When is he going to talk about his antenna?”. Well ask no longer, here it comes. What kind of antenna you use for digital modes is irrelevant, but without question the antenna is the most essential piece of equipment for an amateur radio operator’s station, no matter what mode you are using. Nothing else matters if you do not have this vital link in the equipment chain. Not only do you need an antenna, it should perform at peak efficiency for optimum results. Wise old hams for decades have imparted this truth to novice hams who would listen, “You can’t work’em if you can’t hear’em”. Oh so true.
While ANY antenna beats NO antenna, not all antennas (or antenna systems) are created equal. I am not the best versed person in the art of antenna design. However, I have done (and continue to do) quite a bit of research into the subject to try and correct my many knowledge deficiencies in antenna system design. I say “antenna system” rather than just “antenna”. Why? Because in reality it is the entire antenna system that is responsible for how well the station works. The best designed antenna alone cannot deliver peak performance if the feed line connected to it is not as efficient as possible. Therefore, it is the antenna system that works together to help transmit the strongest signal possible from the station’s transmitter and to receive the strongest signal possible for the station’s receiver. A good antenna and a poor feed line are as equally bad as a poor antenna and a good feed line. It is a system that needs to be designed to work together for the utmost efficiency. After ten years of informational research and empirical testing I have finally come to a point of conclusion for my antenna system design. Does that mean I am done? Yes, for now, until I find another way to improve it further. (Is a ham’s station ever really finished?)
It would take many 1’s and 0’s (bits of information) to tell you about every antenna and the variations that I went through to get where I am today with my antenna system. So to condense the information I will only state that all the antenna designs were of the vertical type as that design was deemed early on as the most viable for my situation and operating desires. In describing to you the final design I am in no way suggesting that this is the antenna for everyone or that it is the best antenna system. It is the best at the moment for me. You are encouraged to analyze it and see if it may be of use to you as well. Good luck, learn much, and have fun.
While ANY antenna beats NO antenna, not all antennas (or antenna systems) are created equal. I am not the best versed person in the art of antenna design. However, I have done (and continue to do) quite a bit of research into the subject to try and correct my many knowledge deficiencies in antenna system design. I say “antenna system” rather than just “antenna”. Why? Because in reality it is the entire antenna system that is responsible for how well the station works. The best designed antenna alone cannot deliver peak performance if the feed line connected to it is not as efficient as possible. Therefore, it is the antenna system that works together to help transmit the strongest signal possible from the station’s transmitter and to receive the strongest signal possible for the station’s receiver. A good antenna and a poor feed line are as equally bad as a poor antenna and a good feed line. It is a system that needs to be designed to work together for the utmost efficiency. After ten years of informational research and empirical testing I have finally come to a point of conclusion for my antenna system design. Does that mean I am done? Yes, for now, until I find another way to improve it further. (Is a ham’s station ever really finished?)
It would take many 1’s and 0’s (bits of information) to tell you about every antenna and the variations that I went through to get where I am today with my antenna system. So to condense the information I will only state that all the antenna designs were of the vertical type as that design was deemed early on as the most viable for my situation and operating desires. In describing to you the final design I am in no way suggesting that this is the antenna for everyone or that it is the best antenna system. It is the best at the moment for me. You are encouraged to analyze it and see if it may be of use to you as well. Good luck, learn much, and have fun.