A broadband manpack antenna for SINCGARS range extension

A broadband manpack antenna that extends the range of a frequency hopping SINCGARS radio by a factor of three has been developed. A single integral broadband matching network covers the entire 30 to 88 MHz band. Rather than designing to maximize the low point of the gain distribution, the antenna was optimized for minimum bit error rate with a full-band frequency hopping set. This antenna will be used for certain specific applications that allow fielding a long antenna. The VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) is compatible with the SINCGARS radio, and the gain over frequency provides significant range extension in single channel as well as frequency hopping mode.<
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