Single-Wire Transmission Lines for Short-Wave Antennas

The versatility of the possible arrangements of short-wave antennas can only be made available through the use of transmission lines. The phenomena of high-frequency transmission lines are discussed with respect to the effect of the low attenuation per wavelength and the influence of the termination on standing waves and radiation, for both an antenna and a transmission line. The single-wire transmission line is effective when properly terminated. It is the easiest method of feeding the Hertz antenna. The adjustment may be divided into two parts. The frequency which makes the Hertz antenna a pure resistance termination must first be determined. The proper point of connection between the line and antenna must then be found to make the terminating resistance equal to the characteristic impedance of the line. When so terminated, experiment and theory show that radiation from the feeder will be small and that the feeder will act efficiently. Theoretical and experimental curves to show the nature of a horizontal Hertz antenna are shown, since they influence the behavior of the line under changing conditions.