Measured properties of bare and insulated antennas in sand

An experimental system for measuring the electrical properties of antennas embedded in moist sand is described. Measured antenna input admittances for bare linear and circular-loop antennas in sand are compared with theory. Insulated linear and circular-loop antennas with the dielectric constant of the insulation comparable to that of the surrounding medium are considered. Measured input admittances of linear antennas with different insulation sizes and dielectric constants are used to illustrate the effect of the insulation on the admittance. Measured input admittances for the spherically insulated circular-loop antenna are compared with theory and are found to be in good agreement.