Helical Beam Antennas for Wide-Band Applications

The helical beam antenna has inherent broad-band properties. Over a wide frequency band the pattern shape, circularity of polarization, and terminal impedance are relatively stable. Measured performance data are presented for a medium-gain helical beam antenna of optimum dimensions with a bandwidth of about 1.7 to 1. A high-gain broadside array of four such helices is described. Other wide-band applications of helical beam antennas, including omnidirectional types, are also discussed.