Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
1989
2 x 15 Turn 70 cm Helix
1991 ?
AO-13 Antennas
About 1994
AO-40 Antennas
2001
2003
So What !
the dimensions of the helix are so noncritical that the helical beam antenna is
one of the simplest types of antenna it is
possible to make
circumference
turn spacing (phase angle)
reflector size
conductor diameter
helix support (boom)
Kraus
Gain (db)=10log3.325n
Linear function
Kraus
C = circumference in wavelengths
12 < a > 14
V E3NPC
C = 1 wavelength
pa = 12.5 degrees
Helix Antenna
Computer Modeling (NEC)
1990 ARRL UHF/Microwave Experiments
Manual Bob Atkins KA1GT
1995 ARRL Antenna Compendium Emerson
2005 Proceedings of the Southeastern
VHF Society Cebik W4RNL
Bob Atkins
Emerson
Cebik
Cebik
Emerson - Length
Consequences
NEC modeling peak gain designs used in
ARRL publications
Web page helix antenna calculators use
NEC peak gain design formula
AMSAT experts come up with peak gain
formula dimensions
VE3NPC 1990 or so
Constructed several 70cm helix antennas
following Bob Atkins design in the ARRL
UHF/Microwave Experimenters Manual
They did not give any better performance.
Narrower band width and harder to get
good feed match
VE3NPC 1992/93
Constructed several different 2.4 GHz
helix antennas and arrays for AO-13
mode S
All were over 30 turns and most used Bob
Atkins peak gain design
Didnt work never even heard beacon
Made 4 ft dish worked like a charm
Summer 2005
Objectives
Length in
Wavelengths
Theor. Incremental
Theor.
Gain
Gain db
db
Incremental
Measured
Gain db
Theor.
B/W
deg.
Measured
B/W
deg.
6 1/2
1.44
13.4
43.3
46
13
2.88
16.4
+ 3.0
+ 2.9
30.6
32
26
5.76
19.4
+ 6.0
+ 6.2
21.7
20
52
11.53
22.4
+ 9.0
+ 7.5
15.3
12
6.5 turns
26 turns
12 turns
52 turns
No of
Turns
Length
in
Wavelengths
Theor.
Gain
db
Measured
Relative
Gain db
Theor.
Beam
Width deg
Measured
Beam
Width deg
K 70cm
10
2.22
15.2
34.7
40
E 70cm
10
2.40
12.8
+1
29
36
K 12.5cm
13
2.88
16.4
30.6
32
E 12.5cm
12
2.88
13.2
+0.4
27
25
K 12.5cm
26
5.76
19.4
21.7
20
E 12.5cm
24
5.76
14.9
-6.1
20
44
70 cm 10 Turn Kraus/Emerson
Kraus 10 turns
Emerson 10 turns
Kraus 13 turns
Emerson 12 turns
Kraus 26 turns
Emerson 24 turns
Kraus Design
Different Boom Materials
Boom
Material
No of
Turns
Length in Theor.
WaveGain
lengths
db
Relative
Theor.
Measured Beam
Gain db
Width deg
Measured
Beam
Width deg
Fiberglass
13
2.88
18.1
30.8
32
PVC
Pipe
13
2.88
18.1
+0.3
30.8
30
Aluminum
13
2.88
18.1
30.8
32
Conclusions
30 Turn helix ants can be made that will give real gain.
Useful gain with 52 turns.
Other Verification
Questions ? ? ?
KB9UPS
VE3NPC
WHO CARES !!
AO-40 Orbit
60 k kilometers