Checking Those Claims
By Jack L. Stone, Publisher

e are all very lucky that a group like the GARDS exists. One of the important benefits we derive is from their constant investigations into existing devices to determine how or if they work as claimed by their respective inventor-developers. As founder in 1999 and sponsor of this wonderful group, I am very proud of their contributions in so many respects and more recently, a concentrated effort to evaluate the existing "compact antennas". One is the the Isotron that has been around for some 21 years and never evaluated or investigated (that we could find) until GARDS' member, Dave Cuthbert did his recent remarkable 2-part series of articles about his findings of an Isotron he purchased. No mystery any more!

There is a great deal of confusion about the emerging technology and those that claim to be highly efficient compacts. With the GARDS around, that confusion is being sorted out one by one. Their findings are written up and then channeled through the worldwide readership of antenneX — an awesome and efficient mode of communication about the devices out there. The most recent example is member Claudio Re's review of the EH Antenna. His evaluation included tests in his open field test range and as far as Claudio, I1RFQ, is concerned, no mystery here either.

THE GAP SUPER C
Next on Claudio's targeted list is the much talked about Super C by GAP Antennas. Rest assured, the reader will find this one of great interest as once again, only the manufacturer's view of the antenna's capabilities were known to the general public. Although Claudio follows this investigation on the heels of the EH Antenna, this is not to say that we throw the Super C into the same class as the EH. There is a different technology at work here. However, technology alone is not the most important aspect of any of these devices. We are concerned with real performance.

From the GAP Antenna website

REAL PERFORMANCE
It's quite amazing how long claims about performance are allowed to perpetuate in the field of antennas—not just compacts, but many conventional antennas as well. This is really a caveat emptor business. It doesn't need to be so because it's not all that hard or expensive to do sufficient measurements to check those claims. Forget QSOs or just A/B—not meaningful enough, although if one is a radio amateur who possesses a device that consistently does what one wants, then that may be fine. However, it does not mean a whit as to the REAL performance of that device. The device may actually be radiating from the feedline and/or coupling and amplifying its signal from the surroundings—that is NOT the antenna you thought you bought and told was a compact! My statements here are not meant to imply that all claims are false or even distorted by the promoters—only that many of these claims are just taken for granted and remain unchecked. If left that way long enough, then they tend to become "fact" and a basis for it long lost over time.

Consider this example about the history of Yagi antennas. Early post-WWII Yagi builders tended to presume they were achieving maximum theoretical gain, especially because the front-to-back ratios gave an illusion of gain via the signal clarity deriving from less QRM. When the first 2-element phased arrays of the 1950s (the ZL Special and the HB9CB) outdid 3 element Yagis of the period, those builders also assumed that the Yagis were achieving maximum theoretical gain and then claimed that the phased arrays got even more—a claim that has not entirely faded away. In fact, many, if not most, early Yagis did better with achieving easily measured front-to-back ratios than they did with forward gain. However, an added factor entered with the commercial manufacture of Yagis: the dB game. Makers claimed high gain in dB, without specifying the reference for the gain value (as we now universally do by using either dBi, dBd, or dBref, where the reference is explained by the one making the claims).

The ready availability of antenna modeling software has made antenna gain claims more conservative, and actual range measurements of both commercial and experimental antennas have abetted this movement. The result has been a gradual improvement in our understanding and expectations of not only Yagis, but the entire sweep of available antennas. But the work is not done. Antennas remain to be measured and/or modeled, as applicable.

And advertising claims persist. Some have become subtle by virtue of failing to lay a basis or background for the claim. A maker of an off-center-fed wire antenna claims 10 dBi gain, as much as a beam. Of course, the ad fails to say that that gain level is the maximum gain of a very few narrow lobes and also occurs for a common center-fed doublet of the same length. So the ultimate goals is not only a better understanding of how antennas work and what performance they might achieve in practice. As well, the goal includes a more sophisticated antenna buying and using populace that can sort the true antenna specification from the mere advertising hype by checking those claims.

TEST FOR FUN & FUNDS
There are numerous ways an antenna can radiate and mislead. Remember also that an antenna is by nature a "coupling device" and some do it better than others. To get at the truth about the performance of an antenna, certain clinical test conditions must be met and real measurements must be made. The "antenna" must be tested while isolated by other influences—something not so easily done. The readers will be seeing more about how to do this in this month's issue of antenneX and future issues. In fact, Claudio has an article on exactly that in the Library of New Issues-how to measure. You might be surprised how easy and how cheaply the even the radio amateur can do meaningful testing with equipment commonly possessed. Radio Shack, or similar stores with electronic instruments is available to most around the globe and even a Field Strength meter of relative measurement can be found inexpensively. This can be fun and certainly informative and make one less reliant on claims from those whose only motivation is to sell you a product.

Jack Belrose on the EH Antenna
John S. (Jack) Belrose, PhD Cantab, VE2CV, now retired was previously a Senior Radioscientist, Radio Sciences Branch of the Communications Research Centre, located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. As you may remember, Jack has been one of the leading skeptics of the CFA technology. In fact, Jack was in attendance at an important CFA presentation and afterwards, took the co-inventors aside and told Dr. Kabbary and Mr. Hately that they would probably realize more radiation from the grounding wires, or from the feeder coax if the antenna was fed without a balun, than from the CFA by itself. Blunt and to the point!

Jack can certainly be considered an antenna "heavyweight" and now weighs in an opinion on the EHA in this month's issue in his own article, "On the EH Antenna." As many know already, the promoters claim the EH is based on the CFA technology.

Any time I hear about a new concept, I always enjoy running it by Jack because he has a way of cutting right through any existing "smoke" and is not in the least bashful in expressing his evaluation. I say I "enjoy" his evaluations, because it makes for a very healthy balance. On the one side is the inventor who is bubbling over with excitement and perhaps too excited to see any flaws. On the other is Jack who has seen a lifetime of antenna concepts and it's getting harder to find anything he hasn't already seen. Yes, I consider Jack's advice as a very valuable asset even though he may make "smoke rise from the inventor's collar." But, the inventors should be aware that not everyone will think their "baby" is as pretty as they do—so, it doesn't pay to be thin skinned when presenting the world with new concepts. One should be prepared to be challenged and questioned about the idea. If it works and you can prove it, then there is nothing to worry about.

Does Jack know about antennas?
From this list, one might think so! This is just a partial list of Jack's publications on antennas (it does not include several articles written for antenneX)
 
Articles

• Belrose, J.S., "Short Antennas for Mobile Operation", QST, September 1953, pp. 30-35, 108.
• Belrose, J.S., "Ferromagnetic Loop Aerials", Wireless Engineer, February 1955, pp. 41-46.
• Belrose, J.S., W.L. Hatton, C.A. McKerrow and R.S. Thain, "The engineering of communication systems for low radio frequencies", Proc. IRE, Vol. 47, 1959, p. 661.
• Belrose, J.S., "The HF Discone Antenna", QST, July 1975, pp. 11-14, 56.
• Belrose, J.S., "Transmission line low profile antennas", QST, December 1975, pp. 19.
• Belrose, J.S., W. Lavrench, J.G. Dunn, C.W. Trueman and S.J. Kubina. "The effects of re-radiation from High-Rise Buildings and Transmission Lines upon the Radiation Patterns of MF Broadcasting Antenna Arrays, in AGARD Terrain Profiles and Contours in EM Propagation, December 1979, 11 pages. Avail: NTIS Ref. NASA Access. No. N80-19347.
• Belrose, J.S., "The Half-Sloper - Successful Deployment an Enigma", J.S. Belrose, QST, pp 31- , May 1980.
• Belrose, J.S., "A kite Supported 160- (or 80-) Meter Antenna, J.S. Belrose", QST, pp. 40-42, March 1981.
• Belrose, J.S., C.W. Trueman, S.J. Kubina, W. Lavrench and J.G. Dunn, "On Minimizing the effects of Re-radiation from Power Transmission Lines on the Pattern of MF-AM Broadcasting Antenna Arrays", in Conf. Proc. Second IEE International Conference on Antennas and Propagation, York, UK, 13-16 April 1981.
• Belrose, J.S., "The Effects of Metal Supporting Towers on the Radiation Patterns of Simple Wire Antennas", Ibid.
• Belrose, J.S. "The Half-Wave Vertical, A 40M DX Antenna without a Radial Wire Ground System", Ham Radio Magazine, pp. 36-39, September 1981.
• Belrose, J.S., "The 300 ohm Ribbon - J for 2 Metres: A Critical Analysis", QST, pp. 43-45, April 1982.
• Belrose, J.S. "The Half-Delta Loop", Ham Radio Magazine, pp. 37-39, May 1982.
• Belrose, J.S. and D. DeMaw, "The Half-Delta Loop: Critical Analysis and Practical Deployment", QST, pp. 28-32, September 1982.
• Belrose, J.S., "The Effect of Supporting Structures on Simple Wire Antennas", QST, pp. 32-35, December 1982.
• Belrose, J.S., J. Litva, G.E. Moss and E.E. Stevens, "Beverage Antennas for Amateur Communication", QST, pp. 22-27, January 1983.
• Belrose, J.S., "Vehicular Antennas for 800 MHz Mobile Radio Band", in Proceedings for 33rd IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference, Toronto, ON, May 1983.
• Belrose, J.S., "The Grounded Monopole with Elevated Feed", Ham Radio Magazine, pp. 87-91, May 1983.
• Belrose, J.S., "VLF, LF and MF Antennas", in The Handbook of Antenna Design (ed. Rudge, Milne, Olver and Knight), Volume 2, ch. 15, pp. 553-662, Peter Peregrinus, London, UK, 1983.
• Trueman, C.W., S.J. Kubina and J.S. Belrose, "Corrective Measures to Minimize the Interaction of Power Lines with MF Broadcast Antennas", IEEE Trans. EMC-25, pp. 329-339, August 1983.
• Belrose, J.S., "Scale Modelling and Full Scale Measurement Techniques with particular reference to antennas in their operational environments", in AGARD Lecture Series No. 131, The Performance of Antennas in their Operational Environmeny, Ocxtober, 1983.
• Belrose, J.S., "RX Noise Bridges", QST, 30-33, 1988.
• Belrose, J.S., G.M. Royer and L.E. Petrie, "HF Wire Antenna over Real Ground: Computer Simulation and Measurement", AGARD LS 165, Modern Antenna Design using Computers and Measurement: Application to Antenna Problems of Military Interest, Specialized Printing Services Ltd., Loughton, Essex, U.K., September 1989 (overview 30 pages).
• Belrose, J.S. and P. Bouliane, "The Off-Center-Fed Dipole Revisited: A Broadband, Multi-band Antenna", QST, pp. 28-33, August, 1990.
• Belrose, J.S., "VLF Transmitting Antennas: Multiple-Tuning vs Single Tuning", IEE Conference Publication No. 333, Seventh International Conference on Antennas and Propagation, University of York, UK, 15-18 April, 1991.
• Belrose, J.S., "Transforming the Balun", QST June 1991, pp. 30-33
• Belrose, J.S., "Modeling HF Antennas with MININEC -- Guidelines and Tips from a Code User's Notebook", ARRL Antenna Compendium Volume 3, 1992, pp. 156-164.
• Belrose, J.S. "VLF/LF Transmitting Antennas", in AGARD Conference Proceedings 529, ELF/VLF/LF Radio Propagation and Systems Aspects, October 1992, pp. 19-1 to 19-22.
• Belrose, J.S., "An Up-Date on Compact Loops", QST November 1993, pp. 37-40
• Belrose, J.S., "On the Travelling-Wave Linear Dipole", QEX June 1994, pp. 22-25.
• Belrose, J.S., "Short Coil-Loaded HF Mobile Antennas: An Update and Calculated Patterns", ARRL Antenna Compendium Volume 4, 1995, pp. 83-91.
• Belrose, J.S. and P. Bouliane, "On Center-Fed Multiband HF Dipoles", ARRL Antenna Compendium Volume 4, 1995, pp. 103-111.
• Belrose, J.S., "Ground-Plane Type Antennas with Elevated Radial Systems", Conference Proceedings 12th Annual Review of Progress in Applied Computational Electromagnetics, Monterey, CA, Volume 1, pp. 2-11.
• Belrose, J.S. "Verticle Monopoles with Elevated Radials: An Up-date", IEE Tenth Internationsal Conference on Antennas and Propagation, Edinburgh, Scotland, April 1997, Conference Proceedings No. 436, Volume 1, pp. 190-195.
• Belrose, J.S., "Loops for 80-Meter DX", QEX, August 1997, pp. 3-16.
• Belrose, J.S., "Revisiting Wire Aerials at the Turn of the Century", Proceedings of the Fourth Symposium on Antennas and EM Theory, Xi'an, China, August 1997, pp. 73-78.
• Belrose, J.S., W. Maxwell and C.T. Rauch, "Source Impedance of HF Tuned Power Amplifiers and the Conjugate Match", Communications Quarterly, Fall 1997, pp. 25-40.
• Belrose, J.S., "Elevated Radial Wire Systems for Vertically Polarized Ground-Plane Type Antennas -- Part 1 Monopoles", Communications Quarterly, Winter 1998, pp. 29-40.
• Belrose, J.S., "Elevated Radial Wire Systems for Vertically Polarized Ground-Plane Type Antennas -- Part 2 Phased Arrays", Communications Quarterly, Spring 1998, pp. 45-61.
• Belrose, J.S., "A tunable all-bands HF Camp/Mobile Antenna", Communications Quarterly, Fall 1998, pp. 47-57.
• Belrose, J.S., "Elevated Radial Wire Systems for Vertically Polarized Ground-Plane Type Antennas -- Part 3 A Monopole with parasitic wire elements", Communications Quarterly, Spring 1999, pp. 37-40.
• Belrose, J.S., MF Broadcast Antennas and Antenna Arrays: A historic branch of antenna engineering revisited by computer simulation and measurement", Conference Proceedings 15th Annual Review of Progress in Applied Computational Electromagnetics, Monterey, CA, 15-20 March, 1999, pp.442-448.
• Belrose, J.S. "Umbrella Top Loaded Antennas: Base fed, folded and with tuned insulated counterpoise", Conference Proceedings 15th Annual Review of Progress in Applied Computational Electromagnetics, Monterey, CA, 15-20 March, 1999, pp.4463-469.
• Belrose. J.S. "Elevated Radial Wire Systems for Ground-Plane Type Antennas -- Part 3: A monopole antenna with parasitic wire elements", Communications Quarterly, Spring 1999 issue, pp. 37-40.

Technical Correspondence

• Belrose, J.S., "Gain of Collinear Antennas", QST (Technical Correspondence), pp. 40-41, October 1982.
• Belrose, J.S., "A Half Twin-Delta Loop Array", QST (Technical Correspondence), pp. 39-40, April 1983.
• Belrose, J.S., "Balanced Antenna Matching", QST (Technical Correspondence), p. 48, January 1984.
• Belrose, J.S., "Up-Date on Sloping Wire Antennas", QST (Technical Correspondence), p. 40, September 1984.
• Belrose, J.S., "Current Distribution on Dipole Antennas", QST (Technical Correspondence), p. 42, October 1984.
• Belrose, J.S., "How does a Transmatch Work", QST (Technical Correspondence), p. 45-46, March 1985.
• Belrose, J.S., "Terminated Folded Dipole", QST (Technical Correspondence), May 1988, p. 94.
• Belrose, J.S., "Antenna Fundemenal Radiation: near Fields and More", QST (Technical Correspondence), August 1993, p. 68.
• Belrose, J.S., "Automatic Antenna Tuners for Wire Antennas", QST (Technical Correspondence), April 1994, p. 84.
• J.S. Belrose, "Terminated Folded-Dipole", QST (Technical Correrspondence) May 1994, pp. 88-89.
• Belrose, J.S., "A vertical monopole with elevated feed: A full Wavelength Radiator", QST (Technical Correspondence), January 1995, pp. 78-79.
• Belrose, J.S., "Designing a Vertical J Antenna", QST (Technical Correspondence), April 1995, pp. 74-75.
• Belrose, J.S., "More on the 144 MHz Ribbon J-Pole Antenna", Radio Communication, Technical Topics Column, May 1995, pp. 61-62.
• Belrose, J.S., "On the relationship between monopole electrical height and physical height", The Canadian Amateur, April 1996, p. 11.
• Belrose, J.S. "Revisiting the Popular G5RV", The Canadian Amateur, July/August 1997, p. 6.
• Belrose, J.S., "Comment on MF AM Asymmetric Verticle-Dipole-Antenna Measurements", IEEE Antennas & Propagation Magazine, Antenna Designer's Notebook Column, August 1997, pp. 69-72.
• Belrose, J.S., "An Up-date on Half Slopers: Analyzing G8PO's 'triangle sloper' ", The Canadian Amateur, September 1997, pp. 8-10.

HOW WE GOT HERE
While doing some research on Jack's publications, I came across one in my files that caught my eye and thought it timely to use some excerpts from that article. It reminds us of the sequence of events that led to "The Birth of Wireless Telephony" as this particular article of Jack's is entitled. The part that I found appropriate for my column and the present activities dealt with the evolution of the radio starting back with our recently much-discussed Maxwell's equations. Here is that excerpt of which many may find familiar, but should be reminded:

".....The very possibility of wireless communications is founded on the researches of James Clerk Maxwell, and his equations form the basis of computational electromagnetics. Their correctness was established by Heinrich Hertz, when in 1887 he discovered EM radiation at UHF frequencies as predicted by Maxwell. Since the pioneering work of Maxwell beginning in the middle 1850s, and of his followers, a small group that became known as Maxwellians, which included UK's Poynting and Heaviside, Maxwell’s equations have been studied for over a century, and have proven to be one of the most successful theories in the history of radioscience. For example, when Einstein found that Newtonian dynamics had to be modified to be compatible with his special theory of relativity, he found that Maxwell’s equations were already relativistically correct. EM field effects are produced by the acceleration of charges, and so Maxwell had automatically built relativity into his equations.

Hertz was not interested in the commercial exploitation of Maxwell’s equations. Application of Hertz’s work was left to Lodge, who also did little to exploit practical application, and to Fessenden, Marconi, and many others.

Nicola Tesla was the first pioneer to publically demonstrate wireless transmission. Remembering that Marconi made his first wireless transmission in Italy in 1895, and that he demonstrated his system in Britain in 1896, we see Tesla in 1893 describing his wireless system to the Franklin Institute, in Philadelphia, PA in March, and later in the same year in St Louis before the National Electric Light Association. The St. Louis, MO 1893 demonstration of sending radio waves through space was complete with a spark transmitter, grounded antenna, tuned circuits, a Morse key, and a receiver with a Geissler tube as an indicator. The equipment that Marconi used to establish his radio fame was remarkably the same as shown in Tesla’s widely published 1893 lectures....."

There they are, the "super stars" of wireless communications going back more than 150 years all mentioned within the above short excerpt: Maxwell, Hertz, Poynting, Heaviside, Marconi and Tesla. Further evolution continues through the efforts of others of course, but here is the foundation for all that was and is to come on this subject.

Most controversy of late has been those that would challenge Maxwell and his equations, or that Poynting can be "synthesized", or that Hertz is "obsolete". Thus far, no solid proof that I have seen has been presented to justify any doubts about the validity of the theories established by those pioneers. In fact. we shouldn't be spending our time trying to prove the theories to be in error, but rather how can those theories be expanded with what we now know. At least there is a springboard for us to start from.

Indeed, the evolution should not and will not stop. Why should we just twiddle our thumbs and not try new concepts in order to make new discoveries, or applications of the original theories. We should not fear possible ridicule for daring to try new things. Just imagine what some of these pioneers must have gone through when presenting their own "wild" ideas with nothing to point to and base it on—except perhaps math? Not only were they blessed with brilliant minds, they were brave enough to follow through with their convictions. Who among us can do so with such great success with today's challenges?

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CFA?
It's been a long time since I've mentioned this subject. As everyone will remember, we left off waiting for results from the test CFA in the UK which was far behind the original schedule, plagued with delays and then a squabble over the rights to the CFA erupted between the UK test group and at least one of the co-inventers. Even the CFA "story" was interesting to follow up to the point when the word "attorneys" popped up which meant a rapid departure from a discussion purely about antenna technology itself. Of course the extended hostilities in the middle east has only served to add to the woes for the CFA.

ANOTHER CHANNEL FOR COMMUNICATIONS
During the six years antenneX has been on the Internet, we have provided Discussion Forums as a convenient place for our readers to exchange ideas, ask questions and perhaps get them answered there as well. We presently have four active Forums where postings may be made plus 19 other read-only forums that have accumulated over the six years. Those 23 forums contain thousands of messages and thus a wealth of information for researching almost any antenna subject. The powerful search function provided there makes it easy to quickly find dozens of messages that might be related to your particular keyword search.

Now, another channel for communications is being built on the antenneX mail server as an additional service for the benefit of our readers. For those who prefer a Majordomo type of mailing list for asking questions or exchanging ideas, such a list should be available within the next couple of weeks. This should provide a unique opportunity for many from the 60,000 around the globe to instantly communicate with each other, enhanced by additional participation from those who follow the messages. From all of the other technical lists that I subscribe to, I have found these facilities to be of great value, especially when I'm looking for answers and there are thousands with similar interests who may view my question and offer quick solutions.

We will start with one daily list for now along with a digest for those who prefer to receive a daily summary of messages. Plus, the mail list archives will be available too and can be downloaded at your leisure. We don't have the name of the list set firmly yet, but any suggestions would be welcomed. Just e-mail me with your ideas for a name of the list at jack@antennex.com I'm just a click away! All suggestions will be considered and appreciated. Short, one word names preferred please.

We'll notify everyone about all of the working details when the list is set up and ready for subscriber participation. The very first posting will be to give credit to the best name provided and selected. Thanks in advance for your participation. Name that list! jack@antennex.com

UPDATE: MAIL LIST NAMED & LAUNCHED - YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN!
We have resolved the name of the list to be simply and descriptive as "antenna-discussions" and "antenna-discussions-digest". For more about the details of how to join others now on the new lists, please click here.

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IN THIS ISSUE
This month is our 72nd online issue! We again include many fine articles by our great writing team. Now, allow me now to introduce this month's line-up of content:

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THE APRIL 2003 ONLINE ISSUE NO. 72 CONTENTS:

OUR MONTHLY COLUMNS (plus this one by yours truly):

• From the Shack By John S. (Jack) Belrose, VE2CV
  On the EH Antenna
  As already covered above, Jack can certainly be considered an antenna "heavyweight" and now weighs in an opinion on the EHA this month's issue in his own article. As many know already, the promoters claim the EH is based on the CFA technology and Jack has spent several an extensive effort investigating that one.

• Antenna Modeling By L. B. Cebik, W4RNL
  GH: Helix-Spiral Specification
  In episode 29 of this series, LB explored the construction of a model of a helical dipole for 28.5 MHz. The techniques used there combined the model-by-equation facility of NEC-Win Plus with its spreadsheet blocking capabilities to produce the model solely by using the GW (wire geometry) input. In entry level programs, such as EZNEC and NEC-Win Plus, the GW input is the only way to create the individual wires and segments out of which a NEC model emerges.

• Ham WorkShop By Tom Cox, KT9OM
  Dodging Thor's Hammer
  Some Thoughts on Lightning & How Not to be a Lightning Rod
  Thor’s hammer, sword of the Greek gods, bird-god of the Bantus, healing force of the Navajos… lightning is a mysterious, powerful force that is easily woven into legends and beliefs. Lightning is one of the most studied, but least understood, natural phenomena.

• Propagation By Marcel H. de Canck, ON5AU
  Propagation Prediction Programs & Tools: Part 1
  With the entrance of the personal computer (PC) into the radio ham shack, more and more different kinds of programs are available. They allow all sorts of computations for ham use, like loss and gain calculations, antenna design and performance calculations, RTTY-CW-SSTV applications, etc. Also, Propagation Prediction was born. Rather elementary in the beginning, these programs today are very sophisticated as Marcel explains in this series.

FEATURE ARTICLES IN THE LIBRARY:

Well, there you have it, folks—thanks for listening and remember, the reading lamp is always on for you in the reading rooms. If I can be of further help, I'm just a Stone's Throw! away. April 2003 antenneX Online Issue #72
reGARDS, Jack L. Stone, Publisher jack@antennex.com

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