Elmer’s Antennas & Feedline – RF Transmission and Antenna Theory

Elmer’s Antennas & Feedline provides detailed explanations of antenna behavior, feedline characteristics, impedance, radiation patterns, and installation considerations. This section supports both new and experienced amateur radio operators with practical engineering-focused information for improving station performance.

Antenna Topics Covered

• ✅ Dipoles, verticals, loops, end-fed wires, and multiband designs
• ✅ Radiation patterns, gain, polarization, and effective radiated power
• ✅ Baluns, ununs, chokes, and impedance matching principles
• ✅ Loading coils, traps, and bandwidth behavior
• ✅ Antenna wire properties and material selection

Feedline Topics Covered

• ✅ Coaxial cable characteristics — loss, impedance, shielding, and velocity factor
• ✅ Ladder line and open-wire feed — balanced transmission line behavior
• ✅ SWR effects, mismatch loss, and transmission line reflections
• ✅ Connectors, terminations, and common installation practices
• ✅ Feedline routing, strain relief, and weatherproofing

Purpose of This Category

This section provides a technical reference for optimizing antennas and feedline systems. Content includes formulas, performance considerations, and practical installation guidance to support efficient and effective amateur radio operation in HF, VHF, and UHF bands.