4.1 INTRODUCTION

Since the publication of the first edition of this handbook several sections in the original chapter on linear antennas have become outdated and have been deleted in this edition. The availability of computer programs1 for finding the impedance and other characteristics of antennas, particularly linear antennas, makes parametric tabulation of limited use. Only some essential formulas and design data are therefore included in this chapter.

For the entire subject of linear antennas, the book by R. W. P. King2 remains authoritative. Another book3 by the same author on the tables of antenna characteristics contains the most comprehensive data on the characteristics of cylindrical antennas. Calculations on circular-loop antennas and some simple arrays are also found there.

A section on the effective height of antennas is included in this chapter. The use of this parameter in describing the transmitting and receiving characteristics of linear antennas and other simple structures is discussed in detail. In addition, material on the general formulation of receiving antennas is included so that engineers can apply the formulation for design purposes or for estimation of the coupling effect between elements made up of both linear and other types of antennas.

Antennas in lossy media are of great current interest. Unfortunately, the subject cannot be covered in this chapter because of limited space. The book by King and Smith4 on antennas in matter can be consulted for this subject, particularly for linear antennas...