Measured and predicted field patterns of MF/HF communication antennas on US Coast Guard patrol boats

Author

Travers, D.J. ; Peterson, B.B. ; McKaughan, M.E. ; Fessenden, D.E.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Eng., US Coast Guard Acad., New London, CT, USA

fYear

1990

fDate

7-11 May 1990

Firstpage

1859

Abstract

Measured azimuthal antenna patterns of a US Coast Guard patrol boat show significant variations of 3 to 9 dB in signal strength caused by sea waves. MININEC was used to model the antenna configurations and to predict the azimuthal radiation patterns and impedances for the various frequencies. MININEC can successfully model azimuthal antenna patterns, but cannot model the effects of sea waves and winds. It is noted that the varying 3 to 9 dB ripples in signal strength could mean the difference between communicating and not communicating. This observation has been confirmed by discussions with patrol boat personnel.<>

Keywords

antenna radiation patterns; electric field measurement; magnetic field measurement; mobile antennas; ships; MF/HF communication antennas; MININEC; US Coast Guard; antenna configuration; azimuthal antenna patterns; azimuthal radiation patterns; field patterns; impedances; measurement; patrol boats; sea waves; signal strength; Antenna measurements; Antenna radiation patterns; Boats; Fluctuations; Foot; Frequency; Impedance measurement; Marine vehicles; Sea measurements; System testing;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium, 1990. AP-S. Merging Technologies for the 90's. Digest.

Conference_Location

Dallas, TX, USA

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/APS.1990.115495

Filename

115495