Buzzard Droppings June 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

Ron Rueter

 

Antenna Radiation

Radio signals are radiated in the shape of a Donut (See Figure 1).   The signal is radiated as a magnetic wave.  When magnetic waves intercept an antenna at right angles, (See Figure 2) a signal is produced for the receiver.

                    

 

 

 

                          Figure 1                                                                    Figure 2

Lines of Radiation Must Cross At Right Angles For Maximum Signal Strength.

Out the end of the antenna, Little to No Signal Radiation occurs, and likewise waves received on end of antenna results in minimum signal strength for the receiver.

 

Types of Interference

Multipath – (Buildings, Mountains/Hills, Trees with heavy foliage)

Multipath occurs when the signal from a transmitter is received at the receiver in a direct path and reflected path at the same time.  The reflected path signal will be delayed a small amount causing the received signal to have distortion.  I’m sure most of you have heard fuzzy or distorted music or talk while driving your car and listening to a FM station.  That distortion is due to Multipath.  (See Figure 3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                         

                     Figure 3