Using EZNEC To Compare Antennas

Part 1
Bill Leonard N0CU

1/5/2013
 What is the “Best” antenna?

1/5/2013
 There is no “Best” antenna!

1/5/2013
 For a given set of goals and
constraints, there may be a
“Best” antenna!

1/5/2013
 Typical Goals & Constraints

•Directive vs. Omni Directional

•Gain
•Beam takeoff angle
•Beamwidth (Azimuth & Elevation)
•Front to Back Ratio
•Front to Side Ratio
•Efficiency
•Bandwidth
•Band coverage
•Height required
•Support structure required
•Rotator required
•Governmental & HOA restrictions
•Obstructions (buildings, mountains, etc)
•Cost
•Spouse’s restrictions
1/5/2013
 Typical Goals & Constraints

•Directive vs. Omni Directional

•Gain
•Beam takeoff angle
•Beamwidth (Azimuth & Elevation)
•Front to Back Ratio
EZNEC can help
•Front to Side Ratio
•Efficiency
•Bandwidth
•Band coverage
•Height required
•Support structure required
•Rotator required
•Governmental & HOA restrictions
•Obstructions (buildings, mountains, etc)
•Cost
•Spouse’s restrictions
1/5/2013
 What Criteria to Use for Comparing Antennas?

•Distance:
•DX: >2000 miles
•USA: 200-2000 miles
•NVIS: <200 miles
•Ground Wave: <50 miles
•Takeoff Angle:
•DX: 1o-20o (ARRL propagation charts)
•USA: 11o-63o (single hop for F2 layer at 200 miles)
•NVIS: >63o
•Ground Wave: N/A

1/5/2013
 What Criteria to Use for Comparing Antennas?

•Distance:
•DX: >2000 miles
•USA: 200-2000 miles
•NVIS: <200 miles
•Ground Wave: <50 miles
•Takeoff Angle:
•DX: 1o-20o (ARRL propagation charts)
•USA: 11o-63o (single hop for F2 layer at 200 miles)
•NVIS: >63o
•Ground Wave: N/A

I like to compare gains above real ground at 10o & 30o

1/5/2013
 Example 1: 48’ Shunt Fed Tower as 40M Vertical

Floating HF Beam

40M Trap Dipole @ 45 ft

BALUN

48’
Rohn 25

40M
Vertical

50 ohm
50 ohm
coax
Match coax
Net

~20 radials + chicken wire

1/5/2013
 Example 1: 48’ Shunt Fed Tower as 40M Vertical

Floating HF Beam

40M Trap Dipole @ 45 ft

BALUN

48’
Rohn 25
Signals on the dipole are: 40M

•1-2 S units stronger than from the tower

Vertical

95% of the time

50 ohm
50 ohm
coax
Match coax
Net

~20 radials + chicken wire

1/5/2013
 Example 1: 48’ Shunt Fed Tower as 40M Vertical

1/5/2013
 Example 1: 48’ Shunt Fed Tower as 40M Vertical

Tower pattern from EZNEC

(mountain gnd)

-0.44 dBi

1/5/2013
 Example 1: 48’ Shunt Fed Tower as 40M Vertical

Dipole pattern from EZNEC

(45 ft above mountain gnd)

5.79 dBi

1/5/2013
 Example 1: 48’ Shunt Fed Tower as 40M Vertical

Dipole
6.23 dB

1/5/2013
 Isotropic Radiator in Free Space

0 dBi
ELEVATION

0 dBi
AZIMUTH

Note: Elevation & Azimuth have

no meaning in Free Space
1/5/2013
 Isotropic Radiator in Free Space

0 dBi
ELEVATION

Isotropic Radiators:
•Only exist in theory
•“Hertzian Dipole” => 1.76 dBi
•Radiate 0 dBi in all directions
•Assumes matched linear polarization 0 dBi
•Are always in free space
AZIMUTH

1/5/2013
 Dipole in Free Space
2.15 dBi for Az = 0o

ELEVATION
Fo: 14.15 MHz
Gain: 2.15 dBi
EL Angle: n/ao
EL BW: n/ao
AZ BW: 78.2o
R: 72.1 W
SWR: 1.44
Length (#12): 33.719 ft
2.15 dBi
AZIMUTH

Note: Elevation & Azimuth have

no meaning in Free Space
1/5/2013
 Dipole in Free Space
0 dBd = 2.15 dBi for Az = 0o

ELEVATION
Fo: 14.15 MHz
Gain: 2.15 dBi Isotropic (0 dBi)
EL Angle: n/ao
EL BW: n/ao
AZ BW: 78.2o
R: 72.1 W
SWR: 1.44
Length (#12): 33.719 ft
0 dBd
AZIMUTH

Note: Elevation & Azimuth have

no meaning in Free Space
1/5/2013
 Horizontal Dipole Above Infinite Loss Ground

2.15 dBi

ELEVATION
x ft
Fo: 14.15 MHz
Gain: 2.15 dBi
EL Angle: n/ao
EL BW: n/ao
AZ BW: 78.2o
R: 72.1 W
SWR: 1.44
Length (#12): 33.719 ft
2.15 dBi
AZIMUTH

Note: Elevation & Azimuth have

no meaning in Free Space
1/5/2013
 Horizontal Dipole Above Infinite Loss Ground

2.15 dBi

ELEVATION
x ft
Fo: 14.15 MHz
Gain: 2.15 dBi
EL Angle: n/ao
EL BW:
AZ BW:
Ground reflection gain = 0 dB
n/ao
78.2o
R: 72.1 W
SWR: 1.44
Length (#12): 33.719 ft
2.15 dBi
AZIMUTH

Note: Elevation & Azimuth have

no meaning in Free Space
1/5/2013
 Real Antennas
•Any real antenna is always above a Real Ground:
•Pattern, Gain and Impedance vary with:
•Height above ground
•Type of ground
•Polarization
•Construction:
•Size of elements
•Material used for elements
•Mounting hardware and technique
•Insulators

1/5/2013
 Reflections From Real Ground (Ray Tracing)

Antenna x

Ground

1/5/2013
 Reflections From Real Ground (Ray Tracing)

Horizontal Polarization => 180o phase shift

Antenna x Vertical Polarization => no phase shift

Ground

1/5/2013
 Reflections From Real Ground (Ray Tracing)

Antenna x

Ground

Virtual
x
Antenna
Differential Phase

1/5/2013
 Reflections From Real Ground (Ray Tracing)

Direct Ray

Horizontal Polarization => 180o phase shift

Antenna x Vertical Polarization => no phase shift

Reflected Ray

Ground

1/5/2013
 Reflections From Real Ground (Impedance)

1/5/2013
 Ground Reflection Gain
Horizontal Polarization:
•Peak gain can be 4.5 – 7.0 dB higher than Free Space gain depending on:
•Ground type
•Height above ground
•Elevation angle
•Azimuth angle
•Vertical Polarization: <3dB over real ground

1/5/2013
When comparing different antennas:
•Do not compare a Free Space pattern to a
pattern over ground
•Use identical ground conditions
•Use identical polarizations
•Be careful when using dBd

1/5/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Free Space Pattern

9.84 dBi

1/5/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Free Space Pattern

9.84 dBi

“Our beam has 12 dB more gain than a dipole”

1/5/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Dipole (2.15 dBi)

Free Space Patterns

9.84 dBi

7.69 dB
1/5/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Pattern for Beam 5/8 l Above Perfect Ground

14.09 dBi

Ground reflection gain = 14.09 – 9.84 = 4.25 dB

1/5/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Both Beam & Dipole 5/8 l Above Perfect Ground

Beam 5/8 l
Above Perfect
Ground

7.69 dB

1/5/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Dipole in Free Space

Beam 5/8 l
Above Perfect
Ground

11.94 dB

1/5/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi
•Dipole 5/8 l Above Real Ground Dipole 50 ft Above
•Beam 10’ Above Real Ground Real Ground

Beam 10 ft
Above Real
Ground

1/5/2013
 Example 3: January 2013 QST

Full wave delta loop for 15M The gain of this antenna “...is only
0.25 dB less than if the antenna
were in Free Space.”
11.1 ft
EZNEC Free Space pattern:
2.85 dBi @ 30o

0.1 ft

The theoretical maximum gain (free space) = +2.96 dBi = +0.81 dBd

1/5/2013
 Antennas that don’t work off of
ground, don’t work well close to a
lossy ground

1/5/2013
 Example 3: January 2013 QST

K1QW Pattern in QST article

2.41 dBi

35o

1/5/2013
 Example 3: January 2013 QST

show both patterns

0.03 dBi

33o

1/5/2013
1/5/2013
 Example 3: January 2013 QST
Dipole @ 15 ft
6.12 dBi/90o

Delta Loop_Gnd Level

Dipole @ 30 ft
6.15 dBi/33o

1/5/2013
 Example 3: January 2013 QST
Dipole @ 15 ft
6.12 dBi/90o

Delta Loop_Gnd Level

Dipole @ 30 ft
6.15 dBi/33o

Vertical antennas radiate

equally poorly in all directions!

1/5/2013
12/27/2012
 Example 3: January 2013 QST
Dipole @ 15 ft
6.12 dBi/90o

Delta Loop_Gnd Level

Dipole @ 30 ft
6.15 dBi/33o

Vertically polarized antennas radiate

equally poorly in all directions!

1/5/2013
12/27/2012
 Example 3: January 2013 QST

show both vert & horiz patterns for beam

1/5/2013
Using EZNEC To Compare Antennas
Part 2
Bill Leonard N0CU

2/2/2013
 Topics
• How polarization affects antenna performance
• How ground type affects antenna performance

2/2/2013
 Example 1: 48’ Shunt Fed Tower as 40M Vertical

•Initially, most signals from the dipole were more than 12 dB

stronger than signals from the vertical
 Example 1: 48’ Shunt Fed Tower as 40M Vertical

•Initially, most signals from the dipole were more than 12 dB

stronger than signals from the vertical
•After improving the radial system, signals from the dipole are still
6 dB to 20+ dB stronger than signals from the vertical
(95% of the time)

2/2/2013
 Example 1: 48’ Shunt Fed Tower as 40M Vertical

40M Dipole @ 48 ft_Real

6.23 dB
Shunt Fed Tower for 40M_Real

2/2/2013
 Example 1: 48’ Shunt Fed Tower as 40M Vertical

40M Dipole @ 48 ft_Real

Shunt Fed Tower for 40M_Real
Shunt Fed Tower for 40M_SeaWater

2/2/2013
 Example 1: 48’ Shunt Fed Tower as 40M Vertical

Verticals radiate equally poorly in all directions!

2/2/2013
 Example 1: 48’ Shunt Fed Tower as 40M Vertical

Vertically polarized antennas over lossy ground

radiate equally poorly in all directions!

2/2/2013
 Vertical Polarization

Vertically polarized antennas over lossy ground

radiate equally poorly in all directions!
•Over perfect ground, a vertcially polarized antenna
can have higher peak gain than the same antenna
horizontally polarized
•Over typical lossy (ie, not salt water) grounds:
•Horizontally polarized antennas have 4.5-7 dB of
ground reflection gain (GRG)
•Vertically polarized antennas have GRG<3 dB (often <0 dB)
•Rule of Thumb: horizontal polarization has a
~6 dB GRG advantage over vertical polarization
over lossy grounds

2/2/2013
 What Is “Ground”
•There are two different “RF grounds” that affect antenna
performance
L = Largest physical dimension of the anternna
L l = Wavelength
2L2
Antenna D _~ l
~_ 2l (for L=l)
D

Ground

Reactive
Near
Field Radiating
Far
Field
2/2/2013
 What Is “Ground”
•Reactive Near Field:
•Magnetic field dominates over the Electric field
•Energy storage, but NO radiation of electromagnetic energy
•Affects antenna radiation impedance & efficiency
•Radiating Far Field:
•Equal energy in Electric and Magnetic fields
•Radiation of electromagnetic energy
•Affects antenna pattern (gain & shape)
•Adding more 1/4l radials won’t improve gain or pattern
•This is the field modelled by all NEC programs

2/2/2013
 Horizontal or Vertical
Polarization?

2/2/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Horizontal Polarization Height above ground = 50 feet

Free Space

Perfect

Real

2/2/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Vertical Polarization Height above ground = 50 feet

Free Space

Perfect

Real

2/2/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Vertical Polarization Height above ground = 50 feet

Free Space

Perfect

Sea Water

2/2/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Horizontal Polarization Height above ground = 50 feet

GRG Peak Gain

Free Space 0 dB 9.84dBi/0o

5.28 dB

Perfect 15.12dBi/19o

4.61dB
-0.67 dB

Real 14.45dBi/18o

2/2/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Vertical Polarization Height above ground = 50 feet

GRG Peak Gain

Free Space 0 dB 9.84dBi/0o

6.05 dB

Perfect 15.89dBi/0o

-1.05 dB
-7.10 dB

Real 8.79dBi/11o

2/2/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Vertical Polarization Height above ground = 50 feet

GRG Peak Gain

Free Space 0 dB 9.84dBi/0o

6.05 dB

Perfect 15.89dBi/0o

4.08dB
-1.97 dB

Sea Water 13.92dBi/4o

2/2/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Height above real ground = 50 feet

5 ele 20Myagi_RealH 5.66 dB

2/2/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Compared to a Horizontal beam, the Vertical beam

Height above real ground = 50 feet
(over lossy ground) has: real ground = 50 feet
Height above
•5.66 dB less peak gain
55ele 20Myagi_RealH
•No
ele low angle radiation advantage 5.66 dB
20Myagi_RealH 5.66 dB
•Gain advantage only between 35-50o

2/2/2013
 Type of Ground: How Important?

2/2/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Height above ground = 50 feet

8.79 dBi
5 ele 20Myagi_RealV

2/2/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Height above ground = 50 feet

5 ele 20Myagi_RealV 9.92 dBi

2/2/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Height above ground = 50 feet

5
5 ele
ele 20Myagi_SatlWaterV
20Myagi_RealV 13.92 dBi

2/2/2013
 Example 2: 20M 5 Element Wide Spaced Yagi

Height above ground = 50 feet

14.45 dBi
5 ele 20Myagi_RealV

2/2/2013
For identical conditions:
•A Vertically polarized antenna will have gain peaks
where a Horizontally polarized antenna has gain
nulls, and visa versa
•This results from the 180o phase difference of the
respective ground reflections

2/2/2013
Vertically polarized antennas work better over
salt water because of the salt (ions), not because
of the water!

2/2/2013
 What Are RDF & DMF?
•Optimum transmitting and receiving antennas have different
requirements:
•Transmit: want the maximum possible signal strength in the
desired direction
•Maximum gain
•Maximum efficiency (ie, minimum losses)
•Receive: want the maximum possible signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR)
in the desired direction
•Reciprocity: applies differently to SNR than to signal strength
•Directivity Merit Figure (DMF): compares forward gain at a specific
direction to the average gain in the rear half hemisphere
•Use when dominant skywave noise is not uniformly distributed
•Receiving Directivity Figure (RDF): compares forward gain at a
specific direction to the average gain in the entire sphere
•Use when dominant skywave noise is evenly distributed in all
directions

2/2/2013
 What is RDF & DMF?
•Optimum transmitting and receiving antennas have different
requirements:
•Transmit: want the maximum possible signal strength in the
desired direction
•Maximum gain
•Maximum efficiency (ie, minimum losses)
•Receive: want the maximum possible signal-to-noise-ratio(SNR)
in the desired direction
•Reciprocity: applies differently to SNR than to signal strength
•Directivity Merit Figure (DMF): compares forward gain at a specific
direction to the average gain in the rear half hemisphere
•Use when dominant skywave noise is not uniformly distributed
•Receiving Directivity Figure (RDF): compares forward gain at a
specific direction to the average gain in the entire sphere
•Use when dominant skywave noise is evenly distributed in all
directions

2/2/2013
 What is RDF & DMF?
•Optimum transmitting and receiving antennas have different
requirements:
•Transmit: want the maximum possible signal strength in the
desired direction
The •Maximum
best transmit
gain antenna may not be the best
receive antenna!
•Maximum efficiency (ie, minimum losses)
•Receive: want the maximum possible signal-to-noise-ratio(SNR)
•Beverages are a popular choice for a receive only
in the desired direction
antenna
•Reciprocity: for
applies the lowtobands
differently (80to&signal
SNR than 160 M)strength
•Directivity Merit Figure (DMF): compares forward gain at a specific
direction to the average gain in the rear half hemisphere
•Use when dominant skywave noise is not uniformly distributed
•Receiving Directivity Figure (RDF): compares forward gain at a
specific direction to the average gain in the entire sphere
•Use when dominant skywave noise is evenly distributed in all
directions

2/2/2013
Using EZNEC To Compare Antennas
Part 3
Bill Leonard N0CU

3/2/2013 1
 Topics

•Isotropic radiator and dBi

•Reciprocity
•Antenna Directivity vs. Gain vs. Capture Area
•1/4l Vertical (Monopole)
•Using EZNEC to calculate Antenna to Antenna Transmission Loss
•Using this method to calculate receive antenna gain

3/2/2013 2
 Isotropic Radiator in Free Space

0 dBi
ELEVATION

0 dBi
AZIMUTH

3/2/2013 3
 Isotropic Radiator in Free Space

0 dBi
ELEVATION

Elevation and Azimuth only having meaning when

the x,y,z coordinates are defined!

0 dBi
AZIMUTH

3/2/2013 4
 Isotropic Radiator in Free Space

Isotropic Radiators: 0 dBi

•Radiate 0 dBi in all directions
ELEVATION
•dBi is independent of source power or distance from source
•Assumes matched linear polarization
•Are always in free space
•No ground reflection gain (GRG)
•This is a necessary condition for a reference antenna
•Only exist in theory
0 dBi
AZIMUTH

3/2/2013 5
 Isotropic Radiator in Free Space

Isotropic Radiators: 0 dBi

•Radiate 0 dBi in all directions
ELEVATION
•dBi is independent of source power or distance from source
•Assumes matched linear polarization
•Are always in free space
•No ground reflection gain (GRG)
•This is a necessary condition for a reference antenna
•Only exist in theory
•“Hertzian Dipole” => 1.76 dBi
0 dBi
AZIMUTH

3/2/2013 6
 Reciprocity

•“Reciprocity is a fundamental property of all antennas.”

3/2/2013 7
 Reciprocity

•“Reciprocity is a fundamental property of all antennas.”

•Reciprocity: “the electrical characteristics of an antenna are the
same whether the antenna is transmitting or receiving”:
•Gain
•Radiation Pattern
•Impedance
•Bandwidth
•Resonant Frequency
•Polarization

3/2/2013 8
 Antenna Directivity vs. Gain vs. Capture Area

•Directivity (D): how much more power an antenna radiates

compared to an isotropic radiator (ignoring any losses)
•Gain (G): how much more power an antenna radiates
compared to an isotropic radiator (including any losses)

3/2/2013 9
 Antenna Directivity vs. Gain vs. Capture Area

•Directivity (D): how much more power an antenna radiates

compared to an isotropic radiator (ignoring any losses)
•Gain (G): how much more power an antenna radiates
compared to an isotropic radiator (including any losses)
Gain (xx dBi)

Isotropic (0 dBi)

3/2/2013 10
 Antenna Patterns Are Three Dimensional

Horizontal Dipole 1.5l Above Perfect Ground

Equal Volumes

3/2/2013 11
 Antenna Directivity vs. Gain vs. Capture Area

•Capture Area (Ae): the area of an isotropic antenna that

would receive the same power as the real antenna

Gr x l 2 l = Wavelength
Ae =
4p Gr = Receive antenna gain

•Gain is defined using a TRANSMIT antenna

•Capture Area is defined using a RECEIVE antenna

3/2/2013 12
 1/4l Vertical (Monopole)

•Transmit Antenna Pattern:

•Identical to the top half of a dipole pattern. This means
that all of the input power is radiated into half the space
of a dipole antenna. Therefore, the monopole antenna
will have a gain of twice (3 dB over) the gain of a similar
dipole antenna.
Peak gain =5.16 dBi (2.15 dBi + 3.01 dB)
•Shape of pattern is unchanged => no ground reflections

•Radiation resistance:
•Since the current flows in only half of the antenna, the net
radiation resistance the current sees is half that of a dipole.
Radiation resistance = 36.8 ohms (73.6/2)

3/2/2013 13
 1/4l Vertical (Monopole)

•Transmit Antenna Pattern:

•Identical to the top half of a dipole pattern. This means
that all of the input power is radiated into half the space
Not
of a very
a dipole convincing
antenna. Therefore, theexplanation!
monopole antenna
will have a gain of twice (3 dB over) the gain of a similar
dipole antenna.
Peak gain =5.16 dBi (2.15 dBi + 3.01 dB)
•Shape of pattern is unchanged => no ground reflections

•Radiation resistance:
•Since the current flows in only half of the antenna, the net
radiation resistance the current sees is half that of a dipole.
Radiation resistance = 36.8 ohms (73.6/2)

3/2/2013 14
 1/4l Monople vs. Dipole

2.15 dBi
Dipole in Free Space

Isotropic (0 dBi)

Monopole over
Perfect Ground

5.16 dBi

3/2/2013 15
 Antenna Directivities & Capture Areas

Antenna Medium Directivity Capture Area

Type dBi (Ae)
Isotropic Free Space 1 0 0.0796l2
2
Dipole Free Space 1.64 2.15 0.1305l
Full l Loop Free Space 2.14 3.30 0.1703l2
1/4l Monopole Perfect Gnd 3.28 5.16 0.2610l2

3/2/2013 16
 Antenna to Antenna Transmission Comparison

Transmit Antenna Receive Antenna

Gain = GT Gain = GR
RT RR

IT IR
Distance = D

Transmit Power = PT Path Loss (dB) = 20xLog10 4p D Received Power = PR

l

Transmission Loss (dB) = PT(dBm) - PR(dBm)

= Path Loss (dB) - GT(dBi) - GR(dBi)

3/2/2013 17
 Dipole to Dipole Transmission Comparison

Transmit Antenna Receive Antenna

Dipole Dipole
Gain = GT = 2.15 dBi Gain = GR = 2.15 dBi
RT RR

Free Space
IT Distance = 100 l IR

Transmit Power = PT = 0 dBm Path Loss = 61.98 dB Received Power = PR= -57.68 dBm

Transmission Loss (dB) = PT(dBm) - PR(dBm)

= Path Loss (dB) - GT(dBi) - GR(dBi)
= 62 dB - 2.15 dBi - 2.15 dBi
= 57.68 dB
3/2/2013 18
 Antenna to Antenna Transmission Comparison

Free Space
Transmit Antenna Receive Height Path Transmission Loss Net Receive Tx-Rx
Antenna Above Loss Predicted EZNEC Antenna Antenna Ant Gain
Type Ground Gain Gain Differential
Type Gain (dBi) dB dB dB dBi dBi dB
Dipole 2.15 Dipole N/A -61.98 -57.68 4.30 2.15 0.00

3/2/2013 19
 Antenna to Antenna Transmission Comparison

Free Space
Transmit Antenna Receive Height Path Transmission Loss Net Receive Tx-Rx
Antenna Above Loss Predicted EZNEC Antenna Antenna Ant Gain
Type Ground Gain Gain Differential
Type Gain (dBi) dB dB dB dBi dBi dB
Dipole 2.15 Dipole N/A -61.98 -57.68 -57.69 4.30 2.15 0.00

3/2/2013 20
 Antenna to Antenna Transmission Comparison

Free Space
Transmit Antenna Receive Height Path Transmission Loss Net Receive Tx-Rx
Antenna Above Loss Predicted EZNEC Antenna Antenna Ant Gain
Type Ground Gain Gain Differential
Type Gain (dBi) dB dB dB dBi dBi dB
Dipole 2.15 Dipole N/A -61.98 -57.68 -57.69 4.30 2.15 0.00
Full l Loop 3.29 Full l Loop N/A -61.98 -55.40 6.57 3.28 0.01

3/2/2013 21
 Antenna to Antenna Transmission Comparison

Free Space
Transmit Antenna Receive Height Path Transmission Loss Net Receive Tx-Rx
Antenna Above Loss Predicted EZNEC Antenna Antenna Ant Gain
Type Ground Gain Gain Differential
Type Gain (dBi) dB dB dB dBi dBi dB
Dipole 2.15 Dipole N/A -61.98 -57.68 -57.69 4.30 2.15 0.00
Full l Loop 3.29 Full l Loop N/A -61.98 -55.40 -55.42 6.57 3.28 0.01

3/2/2013 22
 Antenna to Antenna Transmission Comparison

Free Space
Transmit Antenna Receive Height Path Transmission Loss Net Receive Tx-Rx
Antenna Above Loss Predicted EZNEC Antenna Antenna Ant Gain
Type Ground Gain Gain Differential
Type Gain (dBi) dB dB dB dBi dBi dB
Dipole 2.15 Dipole N/A -61.98 -57.68 -57.69 4.30 2.15 0.00
Full l Loop 3.29 Full l Loop N/A -61.98 -55.40 -55.42 6.57 3.28 0.01

Perfect Ground
Transmit Antenna Receive Height Path Transmission Loss Net Receive Tx-Rx
Antenna Above Loss Predicted EZNEC Antenna Antenna Ant Gain
Type Ground** Gain Gain Differential
Type Gain (dBi) dB dB dB dBi dBi dB
1/4l Monopole 5.16 1/4l Monopole 0.0l -61.98 -51.66 10.32 5.16 0.00

3/2/2013 23
 Antenna to Antenna Transmission Comparison

Free Space
Transmit Antenna Receive Height Path Transmission Loss Net Receive Tx-Rx
Antenna Above Loss Predicted EZNEC Antenna Antenna Ant Gain
Type Ground Gain Gain Differential
Type Gain (dBi) dB dB dB dBi dBi dB
Dipole 2.15 Dipole N/A -61.98 -57.68 -57.69 4.30 2.15 0.00
Full l Loop 3.29 Full l Loop N/A -61.98 -55.40 -55.42 6.57 3.28 0.01

Perfect Ground
Transmit Antenna Receive Height Path Transmission Loss Net Receive Tx-Rx
Antenna Above Loss Predicted EZNEC Antenna Antenna Ant Gain
Type Ground** Gain Gain Differential
Type Gain (dBi) dB dB dB dBi dBi dB
1/4l Monopole 5.16 1/4l Monopole 0.0l -61.98 -51.66 -57.69 4.30

3/2/2013 24
 Antenna to Antenna Transmission Comparison

Free Space
Transmit Antenna Receive Height Path Transmission Loss Net Receive Tx-Rx
Antenna Above Loss Predicted EZNEC Antenna Antenna Ant Gain
Type Ground Gain Gain Differential
Type Gain (dBi) dB dB dB dBi dBi dB
Dipole 2.15 Dipole N/A -61.98 -57.68 -57.69 4.30 2.15 0.00
Full l Loop 3.29 Full l Loop N/A -61.98 -55.40 -55.42 6.57 3.28 0.01

Perfect Ground
Transmit Antenna Receive Height Path Transmission Loss Net Receive Tx-Rx
Antenna Above Loss Predicted EZNEC Antenna Antenna Ant Gain
Type Ground** Gain Gain Differential
Type Gain (dBi) dB dB dB dBi dBi dB
1/4l Monopole 5.16 1/4l Monopole 0.0l -61.98 -51.66 -57.69 4.30

3/2/2013 25
 Antenna to Antenna Transmission Comparison

Free Space
Transmit Antenna Receive Height Path Transmission Loss Net Receive Tx-Rx
Antenna Above Loss Predicted EZNEC Antenna Antenna Ant Gain
Type Ground Gain Gain Differential
Type Gain (dBi) dB dB dB dBi dBi dB
Dipole 2.15 Dipole N/A -61.98 -57.68 -57.69 4.30 2.15 0.00
Full l Loop 3.29 Full l Loop N/A -61.98 -55.40 -55.42 6.57 3.28 0.01

Perfect Ground
Transmit Antenna Receive Height Path Transmission Loss Net Receive Tx-Rx
Antenna Above Loss Predicted EZNEC Antenna Antenna Ant Gain
Type Ground** Gain Gain Differential
Type Gain (dBi) dB dB dB dBi dBi dB
1/4l Monopole 5.16 1/4l Monopole 0.0l -61.98 -51.66 -57.69 4.30 -0.86 6.02

3/2/2013 26
 Antenna to Antenna Transmission Comparison

Free Space
Transmit Antenna Receive Height Path Transmission Loss Net Receive Tx-Rx
Antenna Above Loss Predicted EZNEC Antenna Antenna Ant Gain
Type Ground Gain Gain Differential
Type Gain (dBi) dB dB dB dBi dBi dB
Dipole 2.15 Dipole N/A -61.98 -57.68 -57.69 4.30 2.15 0.00
Full l Loop 3.29 Full l Loop N/A -61.98 -55.40 -55.42 6.57 3.28 0.01

Perfect Ground
Transmit Antenna Receive Height Path Transmission Loss Net Receive Tx-Rx
Antenna Above Loss Predicted EZNEC Antenna Antenna Ant Gain
Type Ground** Gain Gain Differential
Type Gain (dBi) dB dB dB dBi dBi dB
1/4l Monopole 5.16 1/4l Monopole 0.0l -61.98 -51.66 -57.69 4.30 -0.86 6.02

3/2/2013 27
 Antenna to Antenna Transmission Comparison

•The gain of a transmitting monopole is twice the gain (+3 dB)

of an equivalent transmitting dipole
•The effective capture area of a monopole is one-half (-3 dB) the
effective capture area of an equivalent receiving dipole
•If a monopole and an equivalent dipole are immersed in
identical fields, the monopole will deliver half as much
power to the receiver as the dipole

3/2/2013 28
 Antenna to Antenna Transmission Comparison

Free Space
Transmit Antenna Receive Height Path Transmission Loss Net Receive Tx-Rx
Antenna Above Loss Predicted EZNEC Antenna Antenna Ant Gain
Type Ground Gain Gain Differential
Type Gain (dBi) dB dB dB dBi dBi dB
Dipole 2.15 Dipole N/A -61.98 -57.68 -57.69 4.30 2.15 0.00
Full l Loop 3.29 Full l Loop N/A -61.98 -55.40 -55.42 6.57 3.28 0.01

Perfect Ground
Transmit Antenna Receive Height Path Transmission Loss Net Receive Tx-Rx
Antenna Above Loss Predicted EZNEC Antenna Antenna Ant Gain
Type Ground** Gain Gain Differential
Type Gain (dBi) dB dB dB dBi dBi dB
1/4l Monopole 5.16 1/4l Monopole 0.0l -61.98 -51.66 -57.69 4.30 -0.86 6.02
Dipole (Vert) 8.41 Dipole (Vert) 1/2l -61.98 -45.16 -51.18 10.80 2.39 6.02
Dipole (Vert) 8.20 Dipole (Vert) 1l -61.98 -45.58 -51.60 10.38 2.18 6.02
Full l Loop 9.62 Full l Loop 1/2l -61.98 -42.74 -48.74 13.24 3.62 6.00

3/2/2013 29
 Articles That Address The 6 dB Discrepency

Reference 1:
“Dipole and Monopole Antenna Gain and Effective Area for Communication Formulas”
by J. C. Logan & J. W. Rockway

NAVAL COMMAND, CONTROL AND OCEAN SURVEILLANCE CENTER RDT&E DIVISION

Technical Report 1756, September 1997
http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA332891

Reference 2:
“Vertically Polarized Dipoles and Monopoles, Directivity, Effective Height and Antenna
Factor” by Trainotti & Figueroa

IEEE Transactions on Broadcasting Sept 2010

(http://svn2.assembla.com/svn/tesis_gfigueroa/paper_BTS-09-143/paper/paper.pdf)

3/2/2013 30
 Reference 2 Conclusions
“...the Received Power in a link between two dipole antennas in free space or between
two monopole antennas over a perfect ground is of the same value in the far field
region.

For two monopoles over perfect ground, the “Transmitting and receiving directivity
relationship corresponds to DTM − DRM = 5.15 − (−0.89) = 6.04 = 6dB or the transmitting
antenna directivity is 6dB higher than the receiving antenna directivity.”

“...only in free space are the transmitting and receiving antenna directivities the same
value for physically identical antennas.”

3/2/2013 31
 Reference 2 Conclusions
“...the Received Power in a link between two dipole antennas in free space or between
two monopole antennas over a perfect ground is of the same value in the far field
region.

For two monopoles over perfect ground, the “Transmitting and receiving directivity
relationship corresponds to DTM − DRM = 5.15 − (−0.89) = 6.04 = 6dB or the transmitting
antenna directivity is 6dB higher than the receiving antenna directivity.”

“...only in free space are the transmitting and receiving antenna directivities the same
value for physically identical antennas.”

3/2/2013 32
 Reference 2 Conclusions
“...the Received Power in a link between two dipole antennas in free space or between
two monopole antennas over a perfect ground is of the same value in the far field
region.

For two monopoles over perfect ground, the “Transmitting and receiving directivity
relationship corresponds to DTM − DRM = 5.15 − (−0.89) = 6.04 = 6dB or the transmitting
antenna directivity is 6dB higher than the receiving antenna directivity.”

“...only in free space are the transmitting and receiving antenna directivities the same
value for physically identical antennas.”

3/2/2013 33
 Reference 2 Conclusions
“...the Received Power in a link between two dipole antennas in free space or between
Reciprocity only holds for identical
two monopole antennas over a perfect ground is of the same value in the far field
region.
antennas in Free Space!
For two monopoles over perfect ground, the “Transmitting and receiving directivity
relationship corresponds to DTM − DRM = 5.15 − (−0.89) = 6.04 = 6dB or the transmitting
antenna directivity is 6dB higher than the receiving antenna directivity.”

“...only in free space are the transmitting and receiving antenna directivities the same
value for physically identical antennas.”

3/2/2013 34
3/2/2013 35
Using EZNEC To Compare Antennas
Part 4
Bill Leonard N0CU
 Topics

•Dipole in Free Space

•What is dBd
•Reflections from real ground
•Horizontal dipole at different heights over different grounds
•Vertical dipole at different heights over different grounds
•Full wave loops over real ground
 Z Y Dipole in Free Space
Z 0 dBd = 2.15 dBi only for EL = 0o

ELEVATION X
Fo: 14.15 MHz
Gain: 2.15 dBi
Isotropic = 0 dBi
EL Angle: n/ao
EL BW: n/ao
AZ BW: 78.2o Y
0 dBd = 2.15 dBi
R: 72.1 W
SWR: 1.44
Length (#12): 33.719 ft

AZIMUTH X
 Real Dipoles
•For any Dipole above any real ground, the pattern, gain and
impedance can vary with:
•Height above ground
•Electrical properties of the ground
•Polarization
•Construction:
•Size of element
•Material used for element
•Mounting hardware and technique
•Type and size of insulators
 Reflections From Real Ground (Ray Tracing)

Antenna x

Ground

1/5/2013
 Reflections From Real Ground (Ray Tracing)

Horizontal Polarization => 180o phase shift

Antenna x Vertical Polarization => no phase shift

Ground

1/5/2013
 Reflections From Real Ground (Ray Tracing)

Antenna x

Ground

Virtual
x
Antenna
Differential Phase

1/5/2013
 Reflections From Real Ground (Ray Tracing)

Direct Ray

Horizontal Polarization => 180o phase shift

Antenna x Vertical Polarization => no phase shift

Reflected Ray

Ground

1/5/2013
 Reflections From Real Ground (Impedance)

Source Direct Ray VSOURCE

ZANT =
I1 - I2
I1 = Source Current

Dipole x
I2= Antenna current induced from reflected wave

Reflected Ray

Ground

ZANT varies with antenna height because I2 varies with height

 Reflections From Real Ground (Impedance)

1/5/2013
 Horizontal Dipole 1/8l Above Perfect Ground
8.69 dBi

30o
ELEVATION
Fo: 14.15 MHz
3.35 dBi
Gain: 8.69 dBi
EL Angle: 90o
EL BW: 96.2o 8.7ft
AZ BW: 99.4o
R: 30.7 W Isotropic
SWR: 1.63
Length (#12): 33.055 ft

AZIMUTH
 Horizontal Dipole 1/4l Above Perfect Ground
7.47 dBi

30o
ELEVATION
Fo: 14.15 MHz
4.46 dBi
Gain: 7.47 dBi
EL Angle: 90o
EL BW: 120o 17ft
AZ BW: 93.8o
R: 81.7 W
SWR: 1.63
Length (#12): 33.089 ft

AZIMUTH
 Horizontal Dipole 1/2l Above Perfect Ground

8.41 dBi

30o
ELEVATION 2.72 dBi
Fo: 14.15 MHz
Gain: 8.41 dBi 10o
EL Angle: 30.0o
EL BW: 34.1o 35ft
AZ BW: 93.4o
R: 69.5 W
SWR: 1.39
Length (#12): 34.125 ft

AZIMUTH
 Horizontal Dipole 1/2l Above Perfect Ground

8.41 dBi
Null? 30o
ELEVATION 2.72 dBi
Fo: 14.15 MHz
Gain: 8.41 dBi 10o
EL Angle: 30.0o
EL BW: 34.1o 35ft
AZ BW: 93.4o
R: 69.5 W
SWR: 1.39
Length (#12): 34.125 ft

AZIMUTH
 Horizontal Dipole 1/2l Above Perfect Ground

180o phase reversal of 8.41 dBi

reflected signal causes 30o
null at 90o elevation
ELEVATION 2.72 dBi
Fo: 14.15 MHz
Gain: 8.41 dBi 10o
EL Angle: 30.0o
EL BW: 34.1o 35ft
AZ BW: 93.4o
R: 69.5 W
SWR: 1.39
Length (#12): 34.125 ft

AZIMUTH
 Horizontal Dipole 1/2l Above Perfect Ground

8.41 dBi

30o
ELEVATION 2.72 dBi
Fo: 14.15 MHz
Gain: 8.41 dBi 10o
EL Angle: 30.0o
EL BW: 34.1o 35ft
AZ BW: 93.4o
R: 69.5 W
SWR: 1.39
Length (#12): 34.125 ft

AZIMUTH

Azimuth patterns don’t change

 Horizontal Dipole 5/8l Above Perfect Ground
6.11 dBi

9.11 dBi

ELEVATION 25o
5.11 dBi
Fo: 14.15 MHz
Gain: 9.12,6.11 dBi 10o
EL Angle: 25,90o
EL BW: -o 43ft
AZ BW: 93.6o
R: 57.5 W
SWR: 1.15
Length (#12): 33.640 ft
 Horizontal Dipole 3/4l Above Perfect Ground
8.05 dBi

ELEVATION 20o

Fo: 14.15 MHz

8.04 dBi
Gain: 8.05 dBi
EL Angle: 20o & 90o
EL BW: -o 52ft
AZ BW: 93.6o
R: 72.9 W
SWR: 1.46
Length (#12): 33.450 ft
 Horizontal Dipole 1l Above Perfect Ground

49o
8.23 dBi

ELEVATION
14o
Fo: 14.15 MHz
8.22 dBi
Gain: 8.23 dBi
EL Angle: 14o & 49o
EL BW: -o 70ft
AZ BW: 93.4o
R: 71.7 W
SWR: 1.43
Length (#12): 33.930 ft
 Horizontal Dipole 1.5l Above Perfect Ground

56o
8.19 dBi
30o

ELEVATION
Fo: 14.15 MHz
Gain: 8.19 dBi 10o
EL Angle: 10,30,56o
EL BW: -o 104ft
AZ BW: 93.6o
R: 72.1 W
SWR: 1.44
Length (#12): 33.865 ft
 Horizontal Dipole 10l Above Perfect Ground

8.17 dBi

ELEVATION
Fo: 14.15 MHz
Gain: 8.17 dBi
EL Angle: -o
EL BW: -o 695ft
AZ BW: -o
R: 72.1 W
SWR: 1.44
Length (#12): 33.740 ft
 Horizontal Dipole: Real vs Perfect Ground (1/2l)

Fo: 14.15 MHz Perfect Ground

Gain: 8.41 dBi 8.41 dBi
EL Angle: 30.0o 30o
EL BW: 34.1o
AZ BW: 93.4o
R: 69.5 W
SWR: 1.39
Length (#12): 34.125 ft
35ft

Fo: 14.15 MHz Real Ground

Gain: 7.39 dBi (0.005/13) 7.39 dBi
EL Angle: 28.0o
EL BW: 33.1o 28o
AZ BW: 87.2o
R: 68.3 W
SWR: 1.51
Length (#12): 34.125 ft
35ft
 Horizontal Dipole: Real vs Salt Water Ground (1/2l)

Fo: 14.15 MHz Perfect Ground

Gain: 8.41 dBi 8.41 dBi
EL Angle: 30.0o
30o
EL BW: 34.1o
AZ BW: 93.4o
R: 69.5 W
SWR: 1.39
Length (#12): 34.125 ft
35ft

Fo: 14.15 MHz Salt Water

Gain: 8.38 dBi (5,81) 8.38 dBi
EL Angle: 29.0o
EL BW: 33.9o 30o
AZ BW: 92.6o
R: 69.5 W
SWR: 1.39
Length (#12): 34.125 ft
35ft
 Horizontal Dipoles 1/2l Above Ground

Horizontal Dipole up 0.5 Perfect

 Horizontally Polarized Antennas Above Ground

•Real (lossy) ground results in:

•Lobe splitting
•More lobes as height increases
•Significant variation in takeoff angle with height
•Lower takeoff angle requires increased height
•Slight reduction in gain
•Gain peak never at EL=0o
•Slight reduction in takeoff angle
•Very deep nulls become very shallow nulls
•ZANT varies greatly with height for heights < 0.5l
•Azimuth pattern remains constant as height is
changed
 Vertical Dipole 1/4l + 1 ft Above Perfect Ground

ELEVATION 6.87 dBi

Fo: 14.15 MHz
Gain: 6.87 dBi
EL Angle: 0o 22ft
EL BW: 24.0o
AZ BW: n/ao
R: 97.0 W
SWR: 1.94
Length (#12): 33.520 ft
 Vertical Dipole 1/4l + 1 ft Above Perfect Ground

Null?
ELEVATION 6.87 dBi
Fo: 14.15 MHz
Gain: 6.87 dBi
EL Angle: 0o 22ft
EL BW: 24.0o
AZ BW: n/ao
R: 97.0 W
SWR: 1.94
Length (#12): 33.520 ft
 Vertical Dipole 1/2l Above Perfect Ground

Fo: 14.15 MHz

Gain: 8.42 dBi
EL Angle: 0o
EL BW: 14.0o
AZ BW: n/ao ELEVATION
R: 68.0 W 8.42 dBi
SWR: 1.36
Length (#12): 33.730 ft 35ft
 Vertical Dipole 1l Above Perfect Ground

Fo: 14.15 MHz

Gain: 8.22 dBi
EL Angle: 0??o
EL BW: 7.1o
AZ BW: n/ao ELEVATION
R: 71.1 W 8.22 dBi
SWR: 1.42
Length (#12): 33.730 ft 70ft
 Vertical Dipole 1/2l Above Real Ground

Fo: 14.15 MHz

Gain: 8.42 dBi
EL Angle: 0o Perfect Ground
EL BW: 14.0o
AZ BW: n/ao
R: 68.0 W 8.42 dBi
SWR: 1.36
Length (#12): 33.730 ft 35ft

Fo: 14.15 MHz 7.39 dB

Gain: 1.03 dBi
EL Angle: 14o Real Ground
EL BW n/ao (0.005/13)
1.03 dBi
AZ BW: n/ao
R: 68.0 W 14o
SWR: 1.36
Length (#12): 33.730 ft 35ft
 Vertical Dipole 1/2l Above Salt Water

Fo: 14.15 MHz

Gain: 8.42 dBi
EL Angle: 0o Perfect Ground
EL BW: 14.0o
AZ BW: n/ao
R: 68.0 W 8.42 dBi
SWR: 1.36
Length (#12): 33.730 ft 35ft

Fo: 14.15 MHz

Gain: 6.91 dBi
EL Angle: 5o Salt Water
EL BW 14.4o (5,81)
AZ BW: n/ao
R: 68.0 W 6.91 dBi
SWR: 1.36
Length (#12): 33.730 ft 5o 35ft
 Vertical Dipole 1/2l Above Ground

8.42 dBi

Dipole(V)_20M_0.5W_Salt Water

7.39 dB
 Vertical Dipole 1/2l Above Ground

8.42 dBi

Dipole(V)_20M_0.5W_Salt Water

7.39 dB

Pseudo-Brewster Angle
 Vertically Polarized Antennas Above Ground

•Real (lossy) ground results in:

•Lobe splitting
•More lobes as height increases
•Peak gain (main lobe) usually near horizon (EL< 20o)
•Increasing height may not increase peak gain
•Significant reduction in gain
•Gain peak never at EL= 0o with real grounds
•Very deep nulls become very shallow nulls
•Always a null at EL= 90o
•ZANT varies modestly with height
•Takeoff angle increases with increasing ground loss
•Pseudo Brewster anlge kills very low angle gain (except
for near perfect ground)
•Can negate low takeoff angle advantage over horizontal
polarization
 Vertical vs Horizontal Dipole at 50 ft Max Above Real Ground

50 ft

1.02 dBi

Dipole(H)_20M_50ft_Real 7.59 dBi

6.36 dB

19o

14o
 Loop Antenna Comparisons (Free Space)

Antenna Total Gain Over Gain Over Radiation

Length Isotropic Dipole Resistance

Feet dBi dBd Ohms

Dipole l/2 2.15 0.00 73

Delta Loop 1l 2.9 0.75 120

Square Loop 1l 3.3 1.19 125

Diamond Loop 1l 3.3 1.19 125

Circular Loop 1l 3.5 1.34 133

Vertical Pol

Horizontal Pol
 Full Wave Loop at 50 ft Max Above Real Ground

8.92 dBi
Loop(SQR)_20M_H_Bot_Real

23o

10o

5.28 dBi
 Full Wave Loop at 50 ft Max Above Real Ground

Loop(SQR)_20M_H_Bot_Real
 Full Wave Loop at 50 ft Max Above Real Ground

1.02 dBi 8.92 dBi

Loop(SQR)_20M_H_Bot_Real
7.90 dB

23o

10o
 Dipole & Full Wave Loop at 50 ft Max Above Real Ground

50 ft

Loop(SQR)_20M_H_Bot_Real
 Dipole & Full Wave Loop at 50 ft Max Above Real Ground

50 ft
Differential Swing
is > 5 S units over
15 degrees
Loop(SQR)_20M_H_Bot_Real