Why All the Fuss About Antennas?

Why the antenna matters

Next to your radio, the most important part of your station is the antenna. The antenna system decides how efficiently your transmitted power leaves the station and how well weak signals are received.

Most antennas are made from copper or aluminium, while many mobile antennas are made from stainless steel. A feed line consists of two conductors that carry the signal between the radio and the antenna. A matching unit may be an antenna tuner, a series matching section, or one of several different matching circuits fitted at the feed point.

Does the type of antenna make much difference?

Yes. The difference between a poor antenna and a good antenna can be dramatic.

Here is one example. In 1959, two amateurs were involved in testing two antennas on 15 metres. The late R. Lynn Kalmbach, W4IW, using one antenna, received a signal report from a station in England that was 30 dB better than the report received on the other antenna. Decibels, or dB, will be explained later, but 30 dB means his signal appeared as if he was running 1,000 times more transmitter power.

At the time, the two stations were not far apart, so propagation could not reasonably explain the difference. Both stations were running about the same power, and both antennas were at approximately 50 feet.

The comparison proved that a good antenna can make a major difference.

Lynn was using a home-built G4ZU mini-beam. The other station was using a 15-metre, 2-element Mosley Mini-Beam with short loaded elements. Evidently, that antenna had a lot of loss.

Poor signals are often antenna problems

Another example can still be heard today. Sometimes people break into a ragchew with signals almost level with the noise. Why does this happen? In many cases, they are using the wrong antenna for the job.

Their signals may be 20 to 30 dB below everyone else’s. They are making contacts, but only just.

The first question experienced amateurs often ask is:

“What kind of antenna are you using?”

Experienced operators know that the antenna can make all the difference. The operator with the poor signal may blame the band conditions or the lack of a linear amplifier, but very often the real issue is the antenna system.

Antenna improvements often beat more power

Many years ago, an old-timer said:

“For every pound you spend on a radio, you should spend two pounds on your antenna.”

That advice is still true today.

You can often do far more to improve your signal strength by improving your antenna system than by simply increasing transmitter power. Having the ability to make contacts with a particular antenna does not necessarily mean that antenna works well. Almost any antenna will make contacts, but some antennas will produce much stronger signals than others.

Just as importantly, some antennas also receive better than others.