A cost-sensitive technique to pre-characterize UHF antennas at tertiary education institutions

This article describes an antenna characterization measurement technique that can be achieved using low-cost equipment on a sports field. It is an adaptation of a reflection range measurement and results were compared to control measurements done at an open-area-test-site as well as in an anechoic chamber. This technique was capable of obtaining results with accuracy to within 2 dB for boresight gain and within 2 dB for the main beam of the antenna pattern. Its purpose is not to be highly accurate, but rather to show that it is possible to cost-sensitively introduce students to radio frequency equipment, as well as have access to a pre-characterization test method for inhouse, student-built antennas at tertiary education institutions.