NTIA-REPORT-79-22

Television

Receiving Antenna System

Component Measurements

R.G. FitzGerrel

R.D. Jennings

J.R. Juroshek

us, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Juanita M. Kreps, Secretary

Henry Geller, Assistant Secretary

for Communications and Information

June 1979

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. LIST OF FIGURES

2. LIST OF TABLES

3. ABSTRACT

4. INTRODUCTION

5. DEFINITIONS AND TERMINOLOGY

iv

x

1

1

2

2.1 Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) and Mismatch Loss 2

2.2 Insertion Loss 3

2.3 System Loss 4

2.4 Antenna Gain 4

6. ANTENNA CONSTANT

7. ANTENNA GAIN MEASUREMENTS

8. BALUN INSERTION LOSS

9. SIGNAL SPLITTER INSERTION LOSS

10. VSWRtS OF ANT$NNAS, BALUNS, AND SPLITTERS

11. TRANSMISSION LINE LOSS

12. DISCUSSION-CONCLUSIONS

13.' REFERENCES

APPENDIX. MEASURED RELATIVE GAIN PATTERNS

iii,

6

8

24

24

28

32

37

41

43
Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Figure 3.

Figure 3.

LIST OF FIGUIm~

Typical single-set, single-antenna TV installations

A. Indoor antenna on receiver, VHF or UHF.

B. Antenna to receiver with "twin lead" transmission line, VHF or UHF.

C. Antenna to receiver ·with "twin lead" transmission line, VHF and UHF.

D. Antenna to receiver with coaxial cable transmission line, VHF and UHF.

Dipole antenna constant versus frequency.

Typical VHF antenna gain pattern measured at 183 MHz

{channel 8). The gain increments are 5 dB and the

reference dipole gain level is shown by the circle on

the 180 deg - 0 deg axis.

Typical UHF antenna gain pattern measured at 641 MHz

(channel 42). The gain increments are 5 dB and the

reference dipole gain le·vel is shown by the circle on

the 180 deg - 0 deg axis.

5

7

10

11

Figure 5.

Figure 6.

Figure 7.

Figure 8.

Figure 9.

Typical half-wave dipole reference antenna gain 12

pat.tern. The gain increments are 5 dB.

Schematic drawing of insertion loss ·measure.ment system. 26

Schematic drawing of splitter insertion lossmeasure- 27

ment system. Connections shown are for the UHF tests.

Schematic drawing of VSWR measurement system. 31

Attenuat.ion bounds (best and worst case) versus 33

frequency for new, dry 300-ohm balanced transmission

line, derived from manufacturers' data.

Figure 10.

Figure 11.

Attenuation bounds (best and worst case) versus

frequency for new, dry RG-6 type coaxial cable,

derived from manufacturers' data.

Attenuation bounds (best and worst case) versus

frequency for new, dry RG-59 type coaxial cable,

derived from manufacturers' data.

iv

35

36
Figure 12.

Figure 13.

LIST OF FIGURES (cont.)

Increase in line loss because of standing waves (SWR

value at the load). To determine the total loss in

decibels in a line having an SWR greater than 1, f i.r st;

determine the loss for the particular type of line,

length and frequency, on the assumption that the line

is perfectly matched. Locate this point on the

horizontal axis and move up to the curve corresponding

to the actual SWR. The corresponding value on the

vertical axis gives the additional loss in decibels

caused by the standing waves.

Graphical presentation of the range of the power budget

equation versus frequency for the four systems

considered.

To convert the P scale to dB relative to 10-6V rec at the 300 ohm receiver terminals with a field strength

of 60 dB relative to 10-6V/ m at the antenna, add 59 dB.

Page

38

40

Figure 14. Measured ant.enna gain versus frequency. 42

Figure A-1 Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 63 MHz 44

for antenna No. 1.

Figure A-2. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 79 MHz 45

for antenna No. 1.

Figure A-3. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 183 r-1Hz 46

for antenna No. 1.

Figure A-4. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 213 MHz 47

for antenna No. 1.

Figure A-S. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 63 MHz 48

for antenna No. 2.

Figure A-6. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 79 MHz 49

for antenna No. 2.

Figure A-7. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 183 MHz 50

for antenna No. 2.

Figure A-8. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 213 MHz 51

for antenna No. 2.

Figure A-9. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 63 r1Hz 52

for antenna No. 3.

Figure A-10. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 79 MHz 53

for antenna No. 3.

V
Figure 1\-11.

Figure A-12.

Figure A-13.

Figure A-14.

Figure A-15.

Figure A-16.

Figure 1\-1'.

Fig:ure A-18.

Figure A~t9.

Fi.g'ure A-21.

Figure A-23.

Figure A-24.

LIST OF FIGURES (cont.)

Re,lative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at18J MHz

for antenna No.3.

Relative gain pa.ttern in the azimuthal plane at 213 MHz

fot' antenna No.3.

Relative gain pat,t,ern in the azimuthal plane at 63 MHz

for antenna No •. 4.,

Relative gain pattern in the aziimut.hal. plane at. 79 MHz

f ell" antenna No.4.

Relativeqain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 183 MHz

for antenna No.4.

Relative ga,inpatternin the azimuthal plane at 213 MHz

f or antenna No.. 4.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 63 MHz

for antenna No. S. Antenna. was mounted on test stand

90 deg off Q,ptical If:boresight'' to tra.nsmltting; a,!l,tenna.

Relative gain patter'n in the azimuthal plane at 79' MHz

for an,tenna No .. 5. A,n,tenna was mounted on test stand

90 deq off opt..leal 'Jbo;r'esight. tt to tra,nsmitting a.ntenna.

Relative 9'ain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 183 MHz

for a.ntenna No.5. Antenna was mounted on test sta.nd

90 deg off optical "boresight" to· transmit,ting an,tenna..

Relative gain pat.t,ern in the azimuthal plan.e at 213 MHz

for antenna No.5. Ant.enna was mounted on te,s;t stand 90

deg off opt.ical ·'bore·sight" to transmitting ancerma,

Rela,tive gain. pattern in·t.he 'azimuthal pIa.ne at, 63 MHz

for antenna No'. 6.

Relative gain pattern in, the azimuthal plane. at 79 MHz

for antenna NQ.. 6.•

Relative gain pattern in theazimu'thal plane at 18'3 MHz

for anten,na' No.6.

Relat"ive gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 213 MHz

for antenna No.· 6.

vi

54

55

56

57

58

59

60

61

62

63

64

66

67
Figure A-2S.

Figure A-26.

Figure A-27.

Figure A-2S.

Figure A-29.

Figure A-30.

Figure A-31.

Figure A-32.

Figure A-33.

Figure A-34.

Figure A-3S.

Figure A-36.

Figure A-37.

Figure A-38.

Figure A-39.

Figure A-40.

Figure A-41.

LIST OF FIGURES (cont.)

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 413 MHz

for antenna No.6.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz

for antenna NQ. 6.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz

for antenna No.6. Beam splitting can be noted.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 63 MHz

for antenna No.7.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 79 MHz

for antenna No.7.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 183 MHz

for antenna No.7.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 213 MHz

for antenna No.7.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MHz

for antenna No.7.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz

for antenna No.7.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz

for antenna No.7.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 63 MHz

for antenna No. B.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 79 MHz

for antenna No.8.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 183 MHz

for antenna No.8.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 213 MHz

for antenna No.8.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MHz

for antenna No.8.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz

for antenna No.8.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 Mhz

for antenna No.8.

vii

68

69

70

71

72'

73

74

75

76

77

78

79

80

81

82

83

84
LIST OF FIGURES (cont.)

Page

Figure A-42. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 63 MHz 85

for antenna No. 9.

Figure A-43. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 79 MHz 86

for antenna No. 9.

Figure A-44. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 183 r~Hz 87

for antenna No. 9.

Figure A-45. Relative gain pattern in the az i.mut.haL plane at 213 MHz 88

for antenna No. 9.

Figure A-46. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MHz 89

for antenna No. 9.

Figure A-47. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz 90

for antenna No.9.

Figure A-48. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz 91

for antenna No. 9.

Figure A-49. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MHz 92

for antenna No. 10.

Figure A-50. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz 93

for antenna No. 10.

Figure A-51. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz 94

for antenna No. 10.

Figure A-52. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MHz 95

for antenna No. 11.

Figure A-53. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz 96

for antenna No. 11.

Figure A-54. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz 97

for antenna No. 11 •

Figure A-55. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 413 MHz 98

for antenna No. 12a.

Figure A-56. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MHz 99

for antenna No. 12b.

Figure A-57. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz lQO

for antenna No. 12a.

Figure 1'1-58. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz 101

for antenna No. 12b.

viii
Figure A-59.

Figure A-60.

Figure A-61.

Figure A-62.

Figure A-63.

Figure A-64.

Figure A-65.

Figure A-66.

. Figure A-67.

Figure A-68.

Figure A-69.

Figure A-70.

Figure A-71.

Figure A-72.

LIST OF FIGURES (cont.)

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz 102

for antenna No. 12a. Beam splitting can be noted.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz 103

for No. 12b. Beam splitting can be noted.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MHz 104

for antenna No. 13.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane of 641 MHz 105

for antenna No. 13.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz 106

for antenna No. 13.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MHz 107

for antenna No. 14.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz 108

for antenna No. 14.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz 109

for antenna No. 14.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MHz 110

for antenna No. 15a. Antenna was mounted on test stand

90 deg off optical "boresight" to transmitting antenna.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MHz III

for antenna NO. 15b. Antenna was mounted on test stand

90 deg off optical "boresight" to transmitting antenna.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz 112

for antenna No. 15a. Antenna was mounted on test stand

90 deg off optical "boresight" to transmitting antenna.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz 113

for antenna No. 15b. Antenna was mounted on test stand

90 deg off optical "boresightII to transmitting antenna.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz 114

for ~ntenna No. 15a. Antenna was mounted on test stand

90 deg off optical "bore~ight" top transmitting antenna.

Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz 115

for antenna No. 15b. Antenna was mounted on test stand

90 deg off optical "boresight" to transmitting antenna.

ix
Table 1.

Table 2.

Table 3.

Table 4.

Table 5.

Table 6.

Table 7.

Table 8.

Table 9.

Table 10.

Table 11 ..

Table 12.

LIST OF TABLES

Main-beam Antenna Gain and Half-power Beam Width at

each Test Frequency (Channel Number)

Maximum, Minimum, and Average Measured Values of

Main-beam Gain Relative to a Tuned Half-Wave Dipole

and Half-Power Beam Width for Each Antenna

Summary of Measured Values of VHF Antenna Main-beam

Gain Reported in NBS Report 6099 (1960)

Summary of Measured Values of VHF and UHF Antenna

Main-beam Gain Reported by the Television Allocations

Study Organization (TASO) (1959)

Summary of Measured Values of UHF Antenna Main-beam

Gain Reported by Georgia Institute of Technology (GIT)

(Free and Smith, 1978) for the Public Broadcast

Service (PBS)

Comparisons of Maximum, Minimum and Average Measured

Values of VHF and UHF Antenna Main-beam Gain

Minimum, Maximum Balun Insertion Loss, dB

Minimum-Maximum Signal Splitter Insertion Loss, dB

Minimum, Maximum Antenna VSWR

Minimum, Maximum Balun VSWR

Minimum, Maximum Splitter VSWR

System Gain, dB, Versus Frequency, MHz

x

14

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18

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21

23

25

27

29

30

30

39
TELEVISION RECEIVING ANTENNA SYSTEM COMPONENT

MEASUREME,NTS

R. G. FitzGerrell, R. D. * Jennings, and J. R. Juroshek

Relative gain of fifteen television receiving antennas was

measured as a function of frequency and az Imut.h angle. Input

voltage standing-wave ratio was measured as a function of frequency

to determine the scalar impedance properties of the antennas.

These antennas, a sample of those available from sources likely to

be utilized by TV antenna installation technicians as well as

consumers, ranged in price from $1.00' to $78.00 and. in length from

18 ern to 400 em. Insertion loss of a sample of system component s ,

balanced-to-unbalanced line transformers and VHF/UHF signal splitters,

was measured , and transmission line attenuation was obtained from

manufacturers' data. Antenna gain, compon~nt insertion loss,

transmission line attenuation, and calculated dipole antenna constant are the significant components of a power budget equation

relating power flow in the TV signal field incident upon the antenna

to the signal power available at the receiver.. Results for four

simple types of home installations are given. The range of the

power budget data for best and worst combinat.ions of antennas,

transmission lines, and other system components illustrates the

range of the power available at the receiver versus frequency for a

specified power flow in the signal field.

Key words: Antenna gain; power budget calculations; TV.

1. INTRODUCTION

Data compiled during this measurement effort consist primarily of

antenna gain incorporating antenna mismatch loss, balun insertion loss, signal splitter insertion loss, and manufacturers' data for transmission line

attenuation. These data and" an antenna constant, equal to the ratio of power

received at the termin.als of a properly oriented half-wave dipole antenna to

the power flow per unit area in the incident field" are components of a power

budget equation giving the power level at the TV receiver terminals when the

*The authors are with the U.S~ Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Institute for Telecommunication

Sciences, Boulder, Colorado 80303.
antenna is in a specified field. The antenna constant is a function of

frequency and, as defined here, is simply a power ratio which is expressed in

decibels (dB).

Therefore, a free-space power budget equation can be written as follows:

P (dBW) rec

Antenna Constant + Antenna Gain

- Balun Insertion Loss - Signal Splitter Loss

- Transmission Line Loss,

when the TV antenna is in a plane-wave field with a linearly polarized power

flow of 1 W/m2 • All gains and losses are expressed in decibels, and the

available power at the receiver terminals, P , is expressed in decibels

rec

relative to 1 W. Note that P can be determined for any power flow, P, by rec

adding 10 10glO P to the antenna constant. If field strength rather than

power flow is known, use the following equation to determine P:

where E is the electric field strength in volts/meter and 120 TI is the

intrinsic impedance of free space.

The remainder of this report discusses the component parts of this power

budget equation and their significance in the overall antenna system perfO.rmance.

Antenna gain data were measured relative to that of a lossless half-wavedipole antenna at 63, 79, 183, 213, 473, 641, and 803 MHz, corresponding to

the center frequencies of channels 3, 5, 8, 13, 14, 42, and 69. Voltage

standing-wave ratios of various system components, including the antennas,

also were measured using swept-frequency techniques between 50 and 810 MHz.

Manufacturers' data were obtained for transmission line attenuation and, when

possible, for component specdf i.cat Lons ,

2. DEFINITIONS AND TERMINOLOGY

2.1 Voltage Standing-Wave Ratio (VSWR) and Mismatch Loss

The VSWR is a measure of th.e amplitude ratio of the reflected to incident waves at the terminals of an rf component in a receiving or transmitt.ing

system. This easily measured scalar quantity indicates directly the extent

2
to which an rf component will cause reflected waves in a system resulting in

less than ideal transfer of rf power through the system. This less-thanideal transfer of power indicated by a VSWR > 1 at the terminals of an rf

component is called the conjugate mismatch loss, or simply mismatch loss,

when the properly terminated component is attached to a nonreflecting generator. This loss, given by

( (

VSWR- l ) 2) I ML(dB) = 10 10910 1 - VSWR+l

VSWR gen =1

is the loss due to impedance mismatch for an rf component inserted into a

previously nonreflecting system.

A 75-ohm reflection bridge was used to measure 300-ohm balanced rf component VSWR by incorporating the "best" conunercial 75-ohm unbalanced-to-300-

ohm balanced line transformer (balun) into the test terminals of the bridge.

The "best" commercial balun was the one of twelve exhibiting the lowest 75-ohm

terminal VSWR over the 50 MHz to 810 MHz frequency range when terminated

with a "precision" 300-ohm resistor as well as exhibiting a low insertion

loss. The rf properties of the balun degrade the measurement capability of

the reflection bridge, and the accuracy of the VSWR measurements is limited.

2.2 Insertion Loss

Insertion loss of an rf component when placed in a nonreflecting system

is simply the attenuation of the component due to the dissipation of energy

in the component. Attenuation is defined as follows:

1

10 10910 I 1 2

S21

A(dB)

where Is211 is the magnitude of the transmission coefficient of the rf component.

The attenuation of power splitters was measured directly by recording

the loss added by the splitters with the unused terminals properly terminated

when inserted between two of the "best" baluns attached to a swept-frequency

generator and a receiver, respectively. Since this 300-ohm balanced test

system is not reflection free, the measured data are approximate.

3
Attenuation of the baluns was measured indirectly by measuring Is21 J 2

at the 75-o-hmterminal of the balun with the 300-ohm terminal shorted, using

the 75-ohm reflection bridge. These attenuation data are accurate to within

± 0.2 dB.

2.3 System Loss

The losses in a transmission system consisting of transmission lines,

baluns, and signal splitters between the antenna and TV receiver can only be

approximated by adding mismatch and insertion losses when these components

are interconnected. System insertion loss must be measured as a whole to

give accurate loss data.

The range of complexity of TV systems, implied by.measured data in this

report, is shown in Figure 1.

2.4 Antenna Gain

Power gain of an antenna is that performance parameter defined by the

IEEE (1969) as follows:

"In a given direction, 4iT times the ratio of the radiation intensity in that direction to the net power accepted by the antenna

from the connected transmitter.

Note 1. When the direction is not stated, the power gain is

usually taken to be the power gain in the direction of its

maximum value.

Note 2. Power gain does not include reflection losses arising

from mismatch of impedance.

Note 3. Power gain is fully realized on reception only when the

incident polarization is the saIne as the polarization of the

antenna on transmission."

Radiation intensity is defined as follows:

"In a given direction, the power radiated from an antenna per

unit solid angle."

As a result of these definitions, power gain is an inherent property of the

antenna and does not include impedance mismatch or polarization losses; and

4
Indoor VHF Or UHF

Antenna

A.

Outdoor VHF or UHF

Antenna

8.

Outdoor VHF- UHF

Antenna

c.

Outdoor VHF-UHF

Antenna

D.

Figure 1. Typical single-set, single-antenna TV installations.

A. Indoor antenna on receiver, VHF or UHF.

B. Antenna to receiver with "twin lead" transmission

line, VHF or UHF.

C. Antenna to receiver with "twin lead" transmission

line, VHF and UHF.

D. Antenna to receiver with coaxial cable transmission line, VHF and UHF.

5
the standard for gain comparison is the isotropic radiator which radiates

equally in all directions, is lossless, and has a gain of unity.

Most technical work with antenna gain measurements results in power gain

data because the antenna user is assumed to have the capability of minimizing

impedance mismatch and polarization losses through proper system design.

However, for the television receiving antenna measurements described here,

the gain data include mismatch losses because the typical user has no device

to minimize these losses at each receivable channel frequency.

For maximum gain, the electrical design of the TV antenna must minimize

VSWR (and the resulting mismatch loss) and maximize power gain. This is a

difficult task for the antenna engineer to solve over the entire VHF-UHF TV

band.

3 • ANTENNA CONSTANT

Effective area of an antenna is defined by the IEEE (1969) as follows:

"In a given direction, the ratio of the power available at the

terminals of an antenna to the power per unit area of a plane

wave incident on the antenna from that direction, polarized coincident with the polarization that the antenna would radiate."

As a result of this definition, a half-wave dipole in a plane-wave field

with a power flow of 1. W/m2 will have 1 w.of power available at its ant.enna

termi.nals if the frequency is 108.38 MHz. Figure 2 is a plot of the power

available at the terminals of any lossless half-wave dipole in the frequency

range of interest here, relative to that at the terminals of a 108.38 MHz

half-wave dipole when the received field is maintained at a constant power

flow. The choice of a lossless half-wave dipole as the reference gain antenna

enables us to use the ant.enna canst.ant, as we have defined it., expressed in

decibels, directly in our power budget e quat.Lon , thus relating power flow in

the wave incident on the TV antenna to the power available at the TV receiver

terminals.

An important point is illustrated by the power ratio plotted in Figure

2--the receiving antenna delivers power to a matched load that is proportional

to the square of the wavelength. Antennas with equal gain but designed to

operate in different parts of the VHF/UHF TV band may deliver to a TV receiver

terminal's power levels differing by more than 20 dB.

6
Ratio of Power Available at Any Half-Wove

Dipole's Terminals to that Available at the

Terminals of a 108.38 MHz Half-Wove

Dipole in Plane Wave Fields with Equal

Power per Unit Area.

(10 109,0 ;~ 1

9

=1.64)

Lower End of UHF TV Bond

40

20

400

800

600

1000~---.----,------r---~--~----,------,

200

N

I

2

u

c

Q) 100 ::J

rr

Q) 80 LL

60

-15 -10 -5 0

Power Ratio, dB

5 10 15

Figure 2. Dipole antenna constant versus frequency.

7
4 • ANTENNA GAIN MEASUREMENTS

The VSWR and azimuthal antenna gain pattern were measured for fifteen

different VHF and UHF home receiving antennas. This antenna complement

included five VHF only antennas, four VHF/UHF combination antennas, and six

UHF only antennas. Four of the five VHF antennas were designed for outdoor

use; one was an indoor antenna. All VHF/UHF combination antennas were outdoor antennas. Two of the UHF antennas were indoor antennas and four were

outdoor antennas. In selecting the antennas, we attempted to sample from

expensive, intermediate priced, and inexpensive offerings from sources likely

utilized by antenna installation technicians as well as sources more likely

catering to home do-it-yourselfers. Purchase cost for the antennas we tested

ranged from $78.00 down to $1.00. Average antenna cost was $29.00.

For one type of outdoor UHF antenna, we tested a wind-damaged antenna as

well as a new, undamaged duplicate. Also, the performance of an indoor UHF

loop antenna was measured for two loop orientations--vertical loop plane

alignment and horizontal loop plane alignment. Therefore, with the fifteen

types of antennas, seventeen sets of measurements were recorded.

As mentioned earlier, all VHF antennas were tested at 63 and 79 MHz in

the low VHF band and at 183 and 213 MHz in the high VHF band. These frequencies are center frequencies for channels 3, 5, 8, and 13, respectively.

All UHF antennas were tested at 473, 641, and 803 MHz, corresponding to

channels 14, 42, and 6q. None of these channels is used for television

broadcasting in the vicinity of the test site. Our tests included sweptfrequency measurements of VSWR (discussed in Section 7) and 360 deg azimuthal

gain patterns for each frequency listed above, calibrated so that main-beam

gain, half-power beam width, etc. could be calculated.

All VSWR measurements were made out-of-doors between wings of the

laboratory building. Each antenna was erected so that the effect of the

building on the VSWR measurement was minimized, yet the building helped

shield the antenna from interfering signals. All gain measurements were

conducted at the Table Mount.ain Test Range, north of Boulder, which is a flat

mesa free of irregular terrain and man-made terrain clutter. This test range

includes a turntable, flush with test range ground, upon which each antenna

was erected for testing.

8
Thebestt;ech'nique fo'r maki.nq t.hese 'g.:ain measur;eU\l.'ents:at our t:est site

isd-efined and d.Lscus.s.ed in NBS :Circular 598 ;(:C:ott~ony:, 1'958). Al1ant.!enn·as

,were t,est:ed in the rec'eive mode. ''I'h:etran:smittingant'enn,a used to pzoduce .a

unLform, plane-wave field at the test site was a ,commercially ,av;ailable

VHF.;UHF ;combination TV re,eeiving ancenna {not one of th:e flft,e,en types of

antennas tested} ez'ec t.ed a.bout6 In above 'gr'ound and 724 m away from:tbe test

antenna.

Half-wave dipole arrt.enriaa tuned f·or the ·testfrequ.en,cies were used vat;

the same heightabov.e groundasr·efer;e·nceantenn,as ·to calib'r,ate the me·asur,ement system.. Hence I the gains w·e r'ep'ort az-e withr·esp:ect to a t.uned halfwav,e dipol,eantenna at the s,ame hei'ght which are numeric,al1y €'qual tofr·eespace gain relative to the gai·no.f .atunedh!alf-wave d.i.poLe vant.enna (Cottony."

1958).

T;elevisi·on r·eceiving arit.ennas normally .ar:edesi;gn.ed and cons-t.ruct.ed -to

provide nomi.na I 30:0 ohm Impedance for conne.ct.Lon t.o 3~O:O-·ohm ·balance,dtr:ans·-

.mission line. -Matching transf·ormersare ava.iLabLe toallow.conr:l'e<cti;on to

coaxLaI transmission ·cablewith 7'5 ohms char,a'cteristic Lmpedance, our

meesuzement; system 'is designed f'o.r connection to d'evices with S{) ohms impre.d-

·anc·ei however, high quaLit.y , preci s.Lon Impedance matching devioes f<or 3!(JO ohm

to 50 ohm or 75 ohm to 50 ohm connections ,are commer-ci,ally unavai,LabLe. W;e

aeLect.ed a high--quality, connnercially available 30:0 ·ohmto 75 ohm mat.chf.nq

t.r.ansfozme r , which we used with each antenna during testing. Mismatch and

Lnaezt.Lon losses for this matching tr·ansf,o.rmer # as well as for similar devi.ce.s

used with the refer.ence half-wave 'dipole ant.erme.s , wer.em'easured; and th;ese

Lossea ihave been calculated out of the gain results reported here. Loss

associated with the 75 ohm to 50 ohm mismatch in connect.Lnq ieach arrcenna to

our measurement system was ignored" since this loss was less than 0.1 dB•

.(In our discussion of measurement acouzacy , we point out that our' results are

considered accurate to ±O. 5 dB. ) Mismatch loss associated with the m,e,asure-d

VSWRofea·chantenn,a, however, has not been rernove·d f rom the gain results.

We feel that this loss is a real quality of each antenna as a consequence of

its design and that a typical antenna installation will not include any

tuning device to over-come this loss.

Turning now to the measured data, Figures 3and4areazimuthgain patterns typical fora VHF antenna and a UHFant'enna, respectively. (All the

measured patterns are included in the Appendix. ) Figure 5 shows a simil,ar

9
90

270

Figure 3. Typical VHF antenna gain pattern measured at 183 MHz

(channel 8). The gain increments are 5 dB and the

reference dipole gain level is shown by the circle on

the 180 deg - 0 deg axis.

10
90

270

Figure 4. Typical UHF antenna gain pattern measured at 641 MHz

(channel 42). The gain increments are 5 dB and the

reference dipole gain level is shown by the circle on

the 180 deg - 0 deg axis.

11
Figure 5. Typical half-wave dipole reference antenna gain pattern.

The gain in,eremeonts are 50 dB.,

12
gain pattern typical for the half-wave dipole reference antennas. Main-beam

antenna gain is the maximum value measured at any specific frequency regardless of the azimuth angle at which it occurs. Table I is a tabulation of

main-beam gain for each antenna along with half-power beam width at each

test frequency. At the bottom of the table, some average gain values versus

frequency have been included for the convenience of the reader. From the

first column of average-value entries one can calculate that at 63 MHz the

average main-beam gain for eight VHF and VHF/UHF combination antennas designed

for outdoor erection is 3.2 dB, the average main-beam gain for four outdoor

VHF (only) antennas is 4.2 dB, and the average gain for four outdoor VHF/UHF

antennas is 2.0 dB. Examination of these main-beam gain average values

shows that, for the sample of outdoor antennas used in our measurements, the

VHF/UHF cOmbination antennas yield lower main-beam gains than those realized

with VHF (only) antennas at VHF frequencies and for UHF (only) antennas at

UHF frequencies.

Table 2 presents a summary of the data from Table 1. Maximum, minimum,

and average values of main-beam gain and half-power beam width for each

antenna are shown. That is, looking at Table 1, we see for antenna 1 the

maximum main-beam gain is 4.1 dB at 183 MHz (channel 8), and the minimum

main-beam gain is 1.2 dB at 79 MHz (channel 5). The average main-beam gain

for antenna 1 is 1.4 dB in the low VHF band and 3.9 dB in the high VHF band.

These are the data shown in Table 2 for antenna 1. Similar data describing

antenna half-power beam width characteristics also are shown.

Excluding the indoor and broken antennas from the antenna gain averages,

there are several interesting features of the data shown in Tables 1 and 2.

Alo-ng with tabulated main-beam gain versus frequency for each

antenna, Table 1 shows average main-beam gain at each test

frequency. These average gains for VHF antennas range from

2.0 dB for combination antennas at 63 MHz (channel 3) to 8.8

dB for VHF only antennas at 183 MHz (channel 8) and for UHF

antennas from 2.8 dB for combination antennas at 803 MHz

(channel 69) to 8.6 dB for UHF only antennas at 641 MHz

(c-hannel 42).

Maximum main-beam gain for VHF antennas usually occurred at

the channel 8 frequency; minimum main-beam gain occurred

13
Table 1 .. Main-beam Antenna Gain and Half-Power Beam Width at, Each Test Frequency

(Channel Number)

- Main-beam Gain Relative to a Tuned Half-Wave Dipole, dB and Half-Power Beam Width ~HPBW), Degrees

Test Frequency, MHz (Channel Number)

Antenna 63 (3) 79 (5) 183(8) 213 (l3) 473(14) 641(42) 803(69)

ID Number (Gain) (HPBW) (Gain) (HPBW) (Gain) (HPBW) (Gain) (HPBW) (Gain) (HPBW) (Gain) (HPBW) (Gain) (HPBW)

- .-

1. 1.6 89 1.2 78 4.1 37 1.6 38

2. '/..7 70 3.6 69 8.7 33 7.0 43

3. 5.5 60 6.6 58 9.7 32 8.2 31

4. 5.5 61 5.6 60 10.4 34 10.2 33

5. (Indoor) -6.3 89 -3.1 79 -3.1 34 -2.5 38

* 6. 3.0 76 2.1 78 7.2 30 5.5 39 4.8 74 8.9 37 0.6 19

7. 2.2 65 2.9 68 7.9 35 5.5 38 3.3 55 6.9 50 1.3 39

R. 3.7 75 3.6 67 9.2 34 7.0 39 6.1 47 8.4 55 6.6 34

9. -4.3 72 0.6 79 1.4 31 2.7 29 4.1 45 2.6 42 -3.2 42

10. 5.8 56 7.1 56 -1.9 57

i i . 4.3 62 7.4 62 3.8 54

* 12a. (New) 5.3 56 8.6 39 1.1 17

* 12b. (Broken) 3.1 55 3.4 39 -1.2 20

13. 7.8 33 10.4 28 8.1 20

14. (Indoor) -1.7 64 -0.9 59 -3.4 50

15a. (Indoor, Loop Vert.) -3.2 79 1.4 64 -3.2 65

I5b. (Indoor, Loop Horz.) -6.2 103 -5.9 122 -8.4 58

*Beam Splitting Observed.

Average, All Antennas 3.2 3.7 8.1 6.8 5.4 8.0 3.6

(Outc1oor Types)

Average, VHF Antennas 4.2 4.7 8.8 7.9 - - - (Outdoor Types)

Average, UHF Antennas - - - - 6.0 8.6 4.3

(Outdoor Types)

Average, VHF/UHF Antennas 2.0 2.4 7.2 5.4 4.7 7.3 2.8

(Outdoor Types)
......

U1

Table 2. Maximum, Minimum, and Average Measured Values of Main-beam Gain Relative to a Tuned Half-Wave

Dipole and Half-Power Beam Width for Each Antenna

VHF Antennas (Tests on Channels 3, 5, 8, 13)

Main-beam Gain, dB Half-Power Beam Width, Degrees

Antenna Low Band High Band Low Band High Band

ID Number' Maximum Minimum Average Average Maximum Minimum Average Average

1. 4.1(8) 1.2(5) 1.4 3.9 89 37 83.5 37.5

2. 8.7(8) 2. 7 (3) 3.2 7.9 70 33 69.5 38.0

3. 9.7(8) 5.5(3) 6.1 9.0 60 31 59.0 31.5

4. 10.4(8) 5.5 (3) 5.6 10.3 61 33 60.5 33.5

5. (Indoor) -2.5(13) -6.3(3) -4.4 -2.:8 89 34 84.0 36.0

6. 7 . 2 (8) 2.1(5) 2.6 6.4 78 30 77.0 34.5

7. 7 . 9 (8) 2.2(5) 2.6 6.9 68 35 66.5 36.5

8. 9.2(8) 3.6(5) 3.7 8.2 75 34 71.0 36.5

9. 2.7(13) -4.3(3) -1.2 2.1 79 29 75.5 30.0

Average, VHF Only 8.8 4.1 4.4 8.3

(Excluding No.5)

Average, VHF/UHF 7.3 1,,7 2.2 6.4

Combination Only

Average, All Data 8.1 3.1 3.5 7 .!5

(Excluding No.5)
0'

Table 2~ (continued)

UHF Antennas (Tests on Channels 14, 42, 69)

Antenna Main-beam Gain, dB Half-Power Beam Width, Deg

IO Number Maximum Minimum Average Maximum Minimum Average

6~ 8~9(42) 0.6(69) 6.0 74 19 * 44.3

7. 6.9(42) 1~3(69) 4.5 55 39 48.0

8. 8.4(42) 6.1(14) 7.2 55 34 45.3

9. 4.1(14) -3.2(69) 2.1 45 42 43.0

10. 7.1(42) -1.9(69) 5.0 57 56 56.3

11·. 7.4(42) 3.8(69) 5.5 62 54 59.3

12a. (New) 8.6(42) 1.1(69) 6.0 56 17 * 37.3

12h. (Broken) 3.4(42) -1.2(69) 2.2 55 20 * 38.0

13. 10.4(42) 7.8(14) 8.9 33 20 27.0

14. (Indoor) ....0.9(42) -3.4(69} -1.9 64 50 57.7

15a. (Indoor, Loop Vert.) 1.4(42) .... 3.2(14,69) .... 1.1 79 64 69.3

ISh. (Indoor, Loop Horz.) -5.9(42) -8.4(69} -6.7 122 58 94.3

*Beam Splitting Observed

~verage UHF Only 8.6 4.1 6.7

(Excluding Nos. 12b,14,15a,15b)

~verage, VHF/UHF 7.4 2.5 5.3

:;ombination Only

~verage, All Data 8.0 3.4 6.0

(Excluding Nos. 12b,14,l5a,15b)

Note: Numbers in parentheses denote channels at which gain values were observed.
about; equally often on the, channel 3 and channel 5 frequenc.ies. For UHF antennas, maximum main-beam gain occurred

at the channel 42 frequency with only one exception. Minimum mafrr-beam gain occurred at the channel 69 frequency

about; 83 percent of the time.

The average main-beam gain performance of VHF only or UHF

only antennas is better than the average main-beam gain

performance of VHF/UHF combination errcennas. The average

main-beam gain for VHF only antennas was about 2 dB higher

than the average main-beam gain of the combi nat.Lon ant.ermaa

at VHF, with the average for all antennas being about 3.5 dB

in the low band and 7.5 dB in the high band. Average mainbeam gain for the UHF antennas was about; 6 dB, with average

UHF performance for combination antennas about 1.4 dB less

than fo'r t.he UHF only antennas.

For our sample of ant.ennas, the average maximum main-beam

gain for VHF antennas was about B.1 dB·, ranging from about;

7 .3 dB for· combdnat.Len antennas to' about 8.8; dB for VHF

only antennas. The average, minimum main-beam gain r anqed

from 1. 7 dB t,o 4.1 ea.

Our sample shows: average, maximum main-beam gain, of about 8

dB for UHF arrt.enn.as, Th'e average maximum m,ain-beam gain for

the UHF o,nly antennas; was about (). 6 dB greater, and the

average maximum main,-b,e,am gain for the combination antennas

was about 0:.6 dB, less than the overall average maximum mainbeam gain. Average minimum ma i.rr-beem gain at UHF was about

3.4 dB, with a somewhat low'e:r average for combination ant.ennas

and a s:omewhat higher average for UHF only antennas.

It is interest,ing to' compar-e our measu]."'ed data with simi.lar data reported

by other inve:s,tigatoirs,. Nearly 20 years ago the p,erfo,rm',anc'e of 11 commerc,ial

VHF TV receiving antennas was meas.ure·d at the National Bureau 0'£ Standar'ds

(Wilso;n, 1960) eDl:p'loying the same me'a,sureme'l!lt techniques we bav'e followed.

Summarized res:ults, in a fO:rmCl,t e,asy to, compare with o·ur smmnaltized da,t.a" are

shown in, Table 3:.

17
Table 3. Summary of Measured Values of VHF Antenna Main-beam Gain Reported in NBS

Report 6099 (1960)

(Channel numbers are in parentheses. Power gain was measured on all channels. The mismatch losses

are added to give data tabulated here.)

Main-beam Gain Relative to a Tuned Half-Wave Dipole, dB

Antenna I 63(3) I Low Band High Band

Identifier 79 (5) 183 (8) 213 (13) Maximum Minimum Average Average

A I 0.1 I 1.2 3.2 5.5 5.5(13) -0.4(2) 0.6 4.6

B I 0.4 I 0.7 I 4.6 I 4.0 I 4.6(8) 0.1(2) 0.6 4.1

C I 0.4 I -0.7 I 5.5 I 5.5 I 6.1(10) -1.0(6) -0.1 5.8

D I 2.6 I 5.1 I 6.6 I 9.5 I 9.8(12) 2.6(3) 4.5 8.2

E

I 3.4 I 5.1 I 6.8 I 9.9 I 9.9(13) 2.9.(7) I 4.3 I 8.1

OJ F Antenna designed only for 177 MHZ, channel 7.

G I I Antenna designed only for 177 MHz, channel 7.

H I 3.5 I 2.3 I 12.8 I 9.0 I 13.0(9)

I

2.3(5) I 3.4 I 12.1

I I Designed for I 6.4 I 5.5 I 6.8(10)' 5.5(13) I - I 6.4

high band only.

J I 1.8 I 1.5 I 6.9 I 4.9 I 7.3(7) -0.3(6) I 1.4 I 6.6

K I 3.1 I 4.5 I 10.0 I 7.1 I 10.7(7) 2.3(2) I 3.7 I 9.1

Average I 2.1 I 2.9 I 7.6 I 7.3 I 9.0 2.0 2.6 7.9
About the same time, the Television Allocations Study Organization

(TASO) reported (TASO, 1959; Swinyard, 1960) the summarized results for VHF

and UHF antenna gains shown in Table 4. The data from which their summaries

were developed were obtained from three sources.

(1) The TASO Panel 2 developed a questionnaire which was sent to

52 antenna manufacturers. Seven manufacturers responded,

collectively providing data on 26 VHF and 4 UHF antennas.

(2) Data were provided by The Association of Maximum Service

Telecasters (AMST) covering 13 all-channel VHF and two

special antennas.

(3) The RCA Service Company provided data for nine all-channel

VHF antennas, one high-band VHF antenna, one single

channel VHF antenna, six all-channel UHF antennas, and

two special UHF antennas.

More recently, UHF antenna performance has been investigated (Free

and Smith, 1978) using 29 different types of a:ntennas. Two of each type

antenna were tested yielding 58 sets of data. The types of antennas tested

included:

Eleven types in the "most popular UHF only" category representing nine different manufacturers.

Nine types in the "most popular VHF/UHF combination" category

representing eight different manufacturers.

Two t"Ipes in the "best performance/most expensive UHF only"

category representing two different manufacturers.

Two types in the "best performance/most expensive VHF/UHF

combination" category representing two different manufacturers.

Four types in the "most popular indoor" category representing three different manufacturers.

One t.ype in the "best performance/most expensive indoor"

category representing one manufacturer.

This work was done at the Engineering Experiment Station, Georgia Institute

of Technology, under sponsorship of the Public Broadcast Service. A summary

of these measurement results is presented in Table 5.

19
Table 4. Summary of Measured Valuesof VHF and UHF Antenna Main-beam Gain

Reported by the T:elevisionAll.ocations Study Organization (TASO) ,(1-9.59)

Main-be,am ;Gain Re lative to a

Freq , MHz Number Tune:d Half-wave Dipole , ·dB

Source (Channel) of Units Maximum Minimum Average

Questionnaire 63 (2 ) 26 11 ·

0 -5 ·

0 4 ·1

to Manufacturers 69 (4) 26 11 ·

0 -1 ·

0 4 ·

,6

85 (6) 26 11. 0 :0.. 0 5 ·

0

17 7 (7 ) 27 11 ·

"0 2 ·0 6 ". 2

195 ( 10) 27 12 ·

0 2 ·0 7 .. 4

213 ( 13 ) 27 11 ·7 0 ·

5 7 ·4

473 ;(14) 4 10 .5 6,. G 8 .. 3

611 {37 ) 4 12 .. 0 6 ·

2 '9 .. '6

749 (60) 4 13 .. 0 '6·5 11 ". 0

As sociation of 63 .(2) 1 3 4 ·

7 -1 ·8 2 ·7

Maximum 69 (4) 12 7

Service ·

1 -1 ·1 3 ·'7

Telecasters 79 ( 5) 13 5 ·

1 -0 ·4 3 ·

0

(AMST)* 177 ( 7 ) 13 10·7 3 ·3 7 ·

4

189 (9) 13 15 ·2 4 ·

1 9 ·

8

201 {ll} 13 10·

5 0 .. 7 6 .. 8

213 ( 13) 13 9 .. 0 -0 ·

6 6 ·

;0

RCA 63 (2 ) 10 6. 5 -7 .. 0 2 .. 3

Service 69 ( 4) 10 7 0 -3 5 2 5

Company · .. .-

85 (6) 10 7 ·5 -4·5 2 .. 3

177 (7 ) 10 8 ·

5 0 .. 0 4 .. 7

195 <10) 10 11 ·3 0 .. 2 6 ·

0

213 .(13) 10 11. 0 -2 -. S 6 ·

0

47 3 ( 14) 7 12 ·6 -0. 2 ,6·2

611 (37 ) 6 10·

s 0 ·

7 6 ·

8

749 (60) 7 12 ·2 2 ·5 6 ·

·6

VHF Low Band 11·0 -7 ·

0 3 ·

7

VHF High Band 12 ·8 -2 ·5 6 .8

UHF (Channel 83 data have not been included .) 13 ·

0 -0 ·2 8 ·

0

*For 13 units tested byAMST,Channel 5 data were used for Channel -6, and

average ofChannel 9 and Channel lldatawere used for Channel 10.

20
f\J

....,

Table 5. Summary of Measured Values of UHF Antenna Main-beam Gain Reported by Georgia Institute

of Technology (GIT) (Free and Smith, 1978) for the Public Broadcast Service (PBS)

Main-beam Gain Re Lat.i.ve to a Tuned Half-Wave Dipole, dB

Type Antenna Average VaLues by Frequencv, MHz (Channel)

Category Maximum Minimum Average 473(14) 533(24) 593(34) 653(44) 713(54) 773(64) B33(74)

All Data 17.0 -18.5 8.7 6.6 6.7 6.8 9.7 9.0 11.5 8.1

Outdoor Only 17.0 -16.5 9.3 7.2 7.3 7.3 10.3 9.7 12.2 8.6

UHF Outdoor Only 17.0 -16.5 9.9 8.5 7.6 7.2 10.5 9.9 13.0 9.7

VHF/UHF Combin- 15.5 - 7.5 8.6 5.3 7~0 7.5 10.0 9.5 11.0 7.0

ation Outdoor Only

UHF Indoor Only 4.0 -18.5 -1.1 -1.0 -1.8 -0.3 - 0.9 -5.0 - 1.8 1.0
an extraction from Tables 2, 3, and 4 of maximum, minimum, and average

VHF antenna gains is shown in Table 6, top portion. There are at least two

points worth noticing.

The gain of a combination antenna is about 2 dB poorer on

the average than the gain of a VHF only antenna.

The types of VHF antennas tested 20 years ago likely were

quite different from the types of outdoor VHF antennas

which we recently tested (mostly variations of log periodic antennas), yet the average main-beam gains for all

tests are quite similar--maximum differences of about

0.9 dB for low band antennas when our VHF only and VHF/UHF

cOmbination antenna data are averaged to one value for low

band performance and one value for high band performance.

We do note that the maximum and minimum main-beam gains

reported by the NBS and TASO were more extreme than we

have measured.

Similar UHF gain data extracted from Tables 2, 4, and 5 are shown in -the

lower portion of Table 6. We note that the VHF/UHF combination antenna performance is about 1.4 dB poorer on the average than performance of the UHF

only antennas. The average UHF antenna. main-beam gain reported by the TASO

is about 1.3 dB less than average main-beam gain reported from the GIT/PBS

measurements. And average main-beam gain reported from our me asurement s is

about 3.3 dB lower than the GIT/PBS average. We attempted to sample fairly

from the population of UHF antennas offered the public. Our guidelines were

to obtain antennas of various prices and of as many different types as possible. Since most of the combination antennas used some sort of corner

reflector as the UHF portion of the antenna, our tot.al sample indeed did

contain more corner reflectors than any other type antenna. We did not have

any very expensive UHF only antennas in our test sample, since UHF antennas

are not marketed in the Eastern Colorado area and some orders for antennas

were delayed by suppliers/manufacturers Pdst the conclusi.on of our measurements.

22
Table 6. Comparisons of Maximum, Minimum, and Average Measured

Values of VHF and UHF Antenna Main-beam Gain

Main-beam

Gain Re ative to a Tuned Half-Wave Dipole, dB

VHF VHF

Data Source and Low Band High Band UHF

Type Antenna Category Maximum Minimum Average Average Average

ITS-VHF Only (Outdoor) 10.4 1.2 4.4 8.3

ITS-VHF Combination 9.2 -4.3- 2.2 6.4

Only (Outdoor)

ITS-VHF, All Data 10.4 -4.3 3 .. 5 7.5

(Outdoor)

NBS-VHF 13.0 -1.0 2.6 7.9

TASO-VHF (Outdoor) 12.8 -7.0 3.7 6.8

ITS-UHF Only (Outdoor) 10.4 -1.9 6.7

ITS-UHF Combination 8.9 -3.2 5.3

Only (Outdoor)

ITS-UHF, All Data 10.4 -3.2 6.0

(Outdoor)

TASO-UHF (Outdoor) 13.0 -0.2 8.0

GIT/PBS-UHF Only 17.0 -16.5 9.9

(Outdoor)

GIT/PBS-UHF Combination 15.5 -7.5 8.6

Only (Outdoor)

GIT/PBS-UHF, All 17.0 -16.5 9.3

Data (Outdoor)

23
5 . BALUN I NSERTI,ON LOSS

Thirte,en 7S-ohm unbalanced :(c:oaxiall to 3-00-ohm baLanoed line transformers !lorbaluns., were llsedtoobt,-aintne Ln.se r t.i.on l-oss dat.a t.abuLat.ed

here , As merit.Loned inSecti:on 2, inste-rtion los'S isameas'ure ofener,gy diss i.pat.ed in anrf ,componentan:d is unavoidable.

Balun insertion loss ispresente'd in 'Table 7 forth'e fiv'efr·e'quency

ranges of Lnt.ez-est., Baluns 8 and 9 .ar-e Lderrt.LcaI modeLs vpurchaaed several

years apart" and 'balun'S 'land 4 are Lderrt.LcaL modeLs purchaaed sieveral y,ears

apart.

Figure 6 isa schematic drawing of the measurement system uaed t.o ·determine the insertion loss data.

:6. SIGN,ALSPLITTER INSERTION LOS:S

Signal split,t.ers were supplied with five combination VHF/UHF ant.enn.as

pur-chased for this s tudy , One of t.hese antennas vltas used vas t.he aour-ce of

test site il1uminat.i'onandw,as not included in the gain measurements. It was

manufactarr'ed by ,a company -whichmad,eone of t.he test.ed -combinati,onant.ennasi

therefore, two of the splitters wer,e identi,cal in appearance end very similar

in e Lect.zic,alperformance.

All splitters had an vant.enna termin:aland VHF and lJHF t,ermin·als to

attach to theirrespe:ctive t.ermi.naLs von t.he TV re.ce i.ve.r, 'F'our splitters had

FM t.ermi.naLsvpz'ovLded for output tean PM r-ece i.ve'r, Since the FM band of

frequencies was LncLuded duri.nq Lns.er t i.on l'OS5 measurernents,theFt4 data are

also present'edhere.

Tablie :8 pr-esents t.he maximum and minimum vaLues vof insertionlossrne,asured in six fre,quen;cyban;ds. Figure 7 is a sc,hemat.ic ,drawirHj of the splitt,er

loss measurement. system. The connections sh,own are for theUHFtestsiappropriat.e chanqes vaz-e imade for VHF and FM measurements. P,or caLf.brat.Lnq the

system, the spli.tt:erwas removed and t.he balun t'enn.inalsw,ere oonnect.ed

together. A pl,ot.of signal Leve I in decibel increments from :0 to -10 was

produced by varying the output level from the signal 'generator. The splitter

was t.hen inserted between the balun'sterminals, an d the Lnaert.Lon loss was

plotted. Measurement accuracy isassume,d to be ±0,.5 ,dB" but this is merely

an estimate . It is interesting to note the high Los.ses vchat; oocur in the FM

band caused by the resLsti.ve coupling used for the FM port.

24
Table 1.. Minimum" Maximum Balun Inserti,on Loss dB

Devi:c:e TJest Frequen:c'y Ranqe !f MHz

e'o'de Low VHF High VHF Low UHF Mid UHF High UHF

Numb'er 54-88 114"';',216 470-582 582-694 6'94-806

1 0 .. 2 ,,, 0 .. 4 1 .. 0 :J 1 ·1 0 .. 5 ,I 0 .. 8 0 .5 0 .. 5 0 .. 5 , 0 ,.7

2 0 .. 1 # 0 .. 02 o.' S :I 0 .- 6 0 .' 1 !I 0 .. 3 0 '. .2 !I 0 ,. 4 0 '. 4 , 0 '. S

3 0 '. 2 11 o.. 6 2 '. 0 !I 2 .. ,5 :3 .. <4 i/ 3 .-4: 2 .. .1II 3 .. 4 1 .. 3 ,I 2 .. 1

4: {) .. 2 :, '0·5 ; 1 .. 4 it .2 .. ,1 3 .. .2I 3 '.2 1 '8 3 II 2 .. 4 1 .. 1 If 1 .6

5 ,. 0 .. 1 "1 :0.. 3 0 ·

1 11 0 .- 8 0 .7 , 1 .- 3 1 .. 0 'I 1 .6 0 '.7 " 1 .. 0

6 0 '. 1 11 :0·:3 0 ·

1 , 1 ..- 9 0 .. 5 !I 1 '. 0 1 .. 0 11 .2 ... 1 1 ~. 0 , -2 .. 0 ;

7 0 .. 2 JI 0 ·3 : 0 .. 6 If ~O .. 7 0 .. 3 " 0 ,. 4: 0 .. 4 0 .. 6 ;0.. 6 :I 0 .. 6

8 '0 .;2 :f 0 .. 4 ,0'. '9, !O ·

9 0 .7 If .l .. 3 1 .. 3 I 1 ". 9 1 .8 , :2 ,.2

9 0 .:2 " :0·

4 0 '. :8:I o.. 9 1 .. 0 f 1 .' :2 0 ,e '9, 1 .,2 0 .. 9 " 0 .. 9

10 0 .. 2 , 0 '. 3 .1.. 0 ,I 1 .. 1 :0.. 5', ~O .6 ,0.. 6 II 0 .. 9 0 .. 9 !I 1 .. :2

.11 0 '. 2 , 0 .. 11 1 .. 2 ., 1 ·4: 0 '. 9 'I 1 .. .3 ,I .2 ,!I 1 .. 5 1 .. 1 II 1 .. :2

12'* 0 '. 3 '1 1 '. 2 0 .. 1 'I '0.. '9 1 '. 0 ., 1 .. 1 0 .. 7 .' 1 .. 7 0 .. 7 " 6 '. 3

1 3 0 -. 1 1 0 .. "3 0 .. 6 'I '0·8 0 '. '6I' 0 .;6 0 '.S if 0 .9 0 .9 !I 1 .. 6

Ran'9"e 0 .. 1 :, 1 ,.2 :0·5 , :2 ·5 0 .. 1 II 3 ,.4: ;0,. ,2 !J ,3 '.4 0 '. 4 " () .. 3

'*T,his balun has a buil't-in .FM trap; that is" it is :designe'd to reject the

FM fr:equencyband of 8:8 to 108 MHz.

25
SWEPT-FREQUENCY X-Y PLOTTER SIGNAL GENERATOR

X Y

r Sweep Out J~

75-0HM

RF BRIDGE

TWO-PORT

DEVICE UNDER

TEST (OUT)

U 3000hm

Terminals

Short- Circuited

Figure 6. Schematic drawing of insertion loss measurement system.

Note: The rf bridge provides a dc output voltage proportional to the square of the voltage reflected

by the DUT. The system is calibrated for infinite

insertion loss with a short on the Y-axis terminal

of the X-Y plotter and for 0 dB insertion loss

with a short on the DUT terminal.

26
Table 8. Minimum-Maximum Signal Splitter Insertion LOss, dB

Device Test Frequency Range, MHz

Code Low VHF FM High VHF Low UHF Mid UHF High UHF

Number 54-88 88-108 174-216 470-582 582-694 694-806

1 0,0 - 0.7,1.0 0.3,1.0 0.3,1.0 1.0,1.8

2 0,1.0 3.5,7.0 0.5,0.6 1.0,1.3 1.0,2.5 2.0,3.3

3 2.0,2.3 8.0,8.2 2.8,3.7 0.2,1.5 0.9,1.2 1.3,3.2

4 2.0,2.4 8.0,8.3 2.9,3.8 0.3,1.7 1.0,1.5 1.5,3.5

5 2.7,2.8 8.0,8.2 2.0,2.8 0.7,1.5 0.7,0.8 0.8,3.0

Range 0,2.8 3.5,8.3 0.5,3.8 0.2,1.7 0.3,2.5 0.8,3.5

SWEPT-fREQUENCY

SIGNAL GENERATOR

RF Out Sweep Out

x- YPLOTTER

y

SIR

METER

COMMERCIAL

BALUN

DEV ICE UNDER

ANT TEST UHf

VHf fN

300.n 300.0.

CONMERCIAL

BALUN DETECTOR

Figure 7. Schematic drawing of splitter insertion loss measurement

system. Connections shown are for the UHF tests.

27
7 ., 'lSWR f S OF ANTENNAS If BALIJNS, AND SPLITTE:RS

The V'SWR, is an important measure of rf comp-onent quality, e,special1y

when, used in C'onjunc·t,ion with insert,ion loss. It ma,y also b'e use'd as: a

quality contro;} c'ilec]c for €ln:tenn,as in p,ar'ticular 1! sin,ce an ext.ensive tes~t,

range 15 not required for VSWR m.easurements in the: VHF UHF' rrv; freque!l'cy

ran,ge,", For t,hes€: reaso~ns, ant.enne, beIun, and spil i t t e,r VSWR" s we,re· measured

and are presen\ted in this section~

Table 9 presents the minimum an,d maximmn antenna, VS:'WR value·s; iJn\ five

fre:quency bands of inte<res,t.

Table 10 presents "the minimum an,d max:imum balun VS:WR, values ill fiv'e: fre;-

quency bands of inte·rest measured. at: the 300 Q,hm bialancecl termi.nal with the·

15-ohm, unbalanced" coaxial terminal atta,ch.ed to a ''}is-obIn lo;a,d.·

'r'able 11 presents the; minimUJll and m.aximmn splitt.er VSW'R values in th,e

five frequency' barsds of interest and the PM. band. measur'ed at. the 300-ol'mtt

terminal mark.ed lifanten.n.Cl.',t wit.h 30G-ohm DJalanc'ed loads o,n t,he other termina.ls.

Figure 8 i.s a schem,atic dr'awing olf th.e measur'ement: system. u.sedl t.O' obt..ain

VSWR. d.a.ta. Measured VSWR aC'CU.rclC'Y· is pcor at· the~ extreme· edgl"es of the TV'

band E 54 and 806 MHz arId is; d,epend,ent on the: measured, V;'SWR va.Iu,e-. 'It.le V'SWRs

equal to 2 a.re estimated t,o be ac-cu:ra.te~ t.o within 2: fO. 2 at 54 MHz and

+0·.5

accur'ate t.o witb,in 2: -0., 3 at 80:6 MHz.< The: VSW'Rs of 3 are est.l.aft.eel t..o be

+0.5 +2

ac:curat.e: to within 3 at: 54· MHz aD,d accuJtate to w'it.hin 3. at' 806 MHz. -0.3 -O~6

The VSWRs equal to 6, are e'stimat.ed to, be accurat.e t.o; w'ithin 6, +); at S4, MHz;

+24 .'. '. .. ..' .; .' a< . ., .' . ..' .. " ..-1.2

an,d. 6 -2",2 at 806 MHz. In the hl.gh VHF and low and middle' UHF bands, VS·WRs of

2 aze estimat.ed to be ac:cu.rate' within 2: jtQ,", 1. These m.easux'ement, prob,lems~

res:u.lt: from,t.he apparent lack of 300 ohm' D:alan.ced r'f bridges fo:r d,ete'rminin9

VSWR..

Tile use of a. rigid t open , 300-ohm D'alanced tran;smis:sicD line and sliding

probe·s t,oget:,her w'ith, slotted line, t:.s,·chni.qtleS at· dis'c;r·et.e· f'r'equenc·i.e:s Wil.S no:tt

consider'e'a to' be a cost-e,ff'ec't,ive meas:ur·ement. tec:hniquefj al.t:hO\lg·h i.t llIay

yield accurate imped,anc'e data.
'rable 9. Minimum, Maximum Antenna VSWR

5

9

Devic'e Test Frequency Range , MHz

Code Low VHF High VHF Low UHF Mid UHF High UHF

Number 54-88 174-2'16 470-582 5-82-69;4 694-806

1 1 ·2'r 2. .. 6 1 .,B, 2 · 3

2 1 · 1 , 3 ·0 1 .. 1 r 3 .. 3

3 1 .. 2 , 4 .. 0- 1 ·5 , 5 .. 2

4 1 ·2 , 3 · 5- 1 .- 3 , 2 .. 3-

5 4 ·0 , 18- 2'.. 7 " 6 .- S

6 1 ·2 , 2 .. 3 1 ·4 r 2 ·7 1 ·6 , 2 ·6 2- ·0 , 3 .3 1 ·7 l- S ·

4

7 1 · 1 r 2 ·8 1 .. 3 , 2 ·0 3- .. 3 ,. 6 · S. 5 ·5 I: 9 2 3 7 , 2S

8 1 .. 7 I' 4 .. a 1 ·6 , 2 .- 8 1 ·6 , 2 .- 2 l. .. 7 r 2 ·9 1 .. 6 , 3 · 3

9 1 .. 1 , 3 · 5 1 ·2 , 3 .. 0 1 ·2:, 2 ·

9, 1 .. 2 , 2.· 8 1 · 1 , 3 ·4

10 1 .. OS , 1 .8 1 ·OS , 8-. a 4 ·5

" 14

1 1 1 .. 7 " 2 ·2 1 2 , 1 · 8 1 ·05 , 3 .

12 1 .. 4 , 2 ·3 1 · 1 , 2 .. 1 1 · 1 , 1 8,

12B 2 ·8 , 4. 5- 2 ·2 , 3 ·

): 2. 1 , 3 .. 2

1 3 1 ·

6:, 6 .. 5 1 ·as, 2 . 5 1 ·OS t 2 .

14 1 .. B, 2. ·S 2 ·0 , 2 ·7 1 ·4 t 3 ·5

IS 3 · 3 r 10 1 ·as, 3 . 3 1 .2 ,. 6 ·5

Range 1 ·

1 , 18.0 1 · 1 ,. h 5 1 .. OS , 10 0 1 OS t 9 .. 2 1 .OS ,2S 0

29
Table 10. Minimum, Maximum Balun VSWR

Device Test Frequency Range, MHz

Code Low VHF High VHF Low UHF Mid UHF High UHF

Number 54-88 174-216 470-582 582-694 694-806

1 1.1, 1.2 1.2, 1.3 2.6, 3.8 3.8, 4.2 3.8, 4.5

2 1.2, 1.2 1.2, 1.3 2.3, 3.9 3.9, 4.2 2.3, 3.9

3 1.7, 2.0 1.7, 1.9 1.7, 1.8 1.3, 1.8 1.3, 1.3

4 1.8, 2.1 1.8, 2.1 1.4, 1.7 1.2, 1.4 1.2, 1.5

5 1.2, 1.2 1.2, 1.2 2.1, 3.0 3.0, 3.5 2.8, 3.5

6 1.1, 1.2 1.05, 1.05 2.7, 5.0 5.0, 6.9 6.7, 7.0

7 1.1, 1.2 1.2, 1.3 1.3, 1.6 1.4, 1.6 1.3, 1.4

8 1.1, 1.2 1.1, 1.1 1.5, 1.7 1.4, 1.5 1.4, 1.4

9 1.1, 1.2 1.2, 1.3 1.1, 1.3 1.1, 1.3 1 .. 3, 1.8

10 1.1, 1.3 1.4, 1.5 1.6, 2.2 2.2, 2.8 2.8, 2.9

11 1.3, 3.3 1.1, 1.2 1.4", 2.4 1.9, 2.4 1.4, 3.0

12 1.1, 1.2 1.05, 1.2 1.3, 1.7 1.7, 2.1 2.1, 2.6

Range 1.1, 3.3 1.05, 2.1 1.1, 5.0 1.1, 6.9 1.2, 7.0

Table 11. Minimum, Maximum Splitter VSWR

Device , Test Frequency Range, MHz i i i i

Code Low VHF FM High VHF Low UHF Mid UHF High UHF

Number 54-88 88-108 174-216 470-582 582-694 694-806

1 1.1,1.5 1.5,1.6 1.4,1.7 1.1,1.4 1.1,2.2 2.2,4.7

2 1.4,2.6 1.2,2.6 1.0,1.1 1.4,2.2 1.7,2.3 1.7,2.4

3 1.6,1.7 1.5,1.6 2.0,2.5 2.1,2.3 1.1,2.1 1.1,2.3

4 1.6,1.7 1.5,1.6 1.9,2.3 2.1,2.3 1.3,2.2 1.3,2.3

5 1.7,1.8 1.8,1.8 1.2,1.5 1.3,1.6 1.1,1.2 1.1,1.7

Range 1.1,2.6 1.2,2.6 1.0,2.5 1.1,2.3 1.1,2.3 1.1,4.7

f

30
SWEPT -FREQUENCY x-v PLOTTER SIGNAL GENERATOR

<j>X yC)

!RF Out I Sweep Out J'

75-0HN

RF BRIDGE

I

COMMERCIAL

BALUN

I I

DEVICE

UNDER

TEST (OUT)

Figure 8. Schematic drawing of VSWR measurement system.

Note: System is calibrated for VSWR = I with a short on

the Y-axis terminal of the plotter and for a VSWR = 00

with a short on the DUT terminal of the bridge-balun

combination.

31
8. TRANSMISSION LIN'E LOSS

Our inv'estigations of transmission line charact.eristics, as mentio:neQ

before,. encompassed onLy a collection of manufacturerls attenuation data--no

measureme·nts. Attenuation versua frequency data for three typ'es of transmission line most likely used in any home receiving svs.t.em are repo:rted. The

types o:f t.ransmissioin line are (1) 300;-a:tmt balan-ceo transmission line"

commonl~~l re"ferred to as: n:twin-leadi It: (.:2) RG:-6 typ,e' coaxial cabLe with IS-OhmS

charac't.er·ist.ic impedance; and. (3): RG~-59 type coaxial cabLe w'hich also has.

characteristic imp,edance of 75 ohms, We' have sumtnarized data from five manu-:

facturers/supplie:rs of 300-·ohm "t;t.win,-lead,f" s·ev·en manuf act.ur e rsZsuppLiers of

RG-6 type' coaxial cable', and eig'lht manu.factu;rers/'suppliersof RG-59\ type

coaxd.a.L cable.

The 300-o:hm '!lit.win-le·adlt p,robab:ly is the' most common Ly use.a transm.ission

line for home ins.tallat.ions" connect.i.nq an antenna and rrv receiver. 'tTwinLead" t,ypical1y is manufac'tured b.y embedding two stranded conduct.ors in a

dielectric m.ate·rial which maintains spacing Q:f the- co-nductors for p,rop.'e'r

impe.dance charact.erLst.Lcs and p,ro:tects: the conductors from direct corrtac't.

with ot.hez unpr'ot.eot.ed condu,c'tors wbich co·uld ground the rf signal. r.rypiically,. no rf s:hielding is pro:vided on lil'twin-leadu transmissio:n line as protection against un,want.ed radiated rf signals" altho'ugh there are types of

"twin-IeadM.' marketed with alum~inum' foil shie'ld and copper drain wire.,

'.lrrw'in-lead" often is quite flat with po·lyet.hylene used as the d.ie-lectric

material. Oval and; nearly zound (cros.s-·sec,tion) 300-ohm transmission lin~e is

available, however, where' cellular pO'lyethylene (c'ommonly termed "f'oara") is

uaed as the die·lectric' mate'rfal, and a. jacket of ordinary poLyet.hyLene surrounds the dielectric material and embedded conduct.ors, This type of transmission line ge,nerally withs.tands exposur-e to w'eather (sunlight and moisture

pe·net.ra:tio;n) bet.te-r than the' more ordin.ary flat "twin-lead. n

The' conductors are ma~de of strand.ed copper or coppez-vcovered steel wire.

Conductoir size r'ange's from AWG si.ae 26· (smallest) to, size 20 (largest). Conductor size is the domin,ant influenc'e upon att.e'fluation. To a lesser e'xtent,

the: dielectric material also influences at.t.enuat.Lon characteristics.

Figure 9 shows att.enuatio.n. bounds versus frequency developed from the

manufac:turer"s: o.a:ta whi.ch we obtaine-d fo·r 30iO-Ohm, "twin-lead" transmission

line:., The· low'er curve in F;igure 9, portrays t.he least a t t.enuat.Lor» (best:

32
f,4r-----,..-------r----r-------r----~----r.--------,~------

Ui 10; "1:)\

c

::t

0

m

..

'+- 8

0:

0

<,

CIl

"'0

c 6

0

;.

0

::s:

c:::

Gl

.....

+- 4 <t

2

400 5,00

Frequency. MHz'

600 800

Figure 9. Attenuatio,n bounds (best and wo,rst case} versus f r equency

fo,r new,. dry 30()-o,hm beLanced transmission line, derived

from Inanufacturers t data.

33
condition) to be expected from "twin-lead," and the upper curve portrays the

most attenuation (worst condition) that should be expected from new, dry

"twin-lead" transmission line. The TASO (1959) and Swinyard (1960) have reported estimated degradation in transmission line attenuation due to age and

moisture. This degradation could cause up to 5 dB more attenuation at UHF in

a 30-ft (9.1 m) length of transmission line than is shown by our data for new,

dry transmission line.

As an example of using Figure 9, if a TV antenna installation uses .300-

ohm transmission line which has been constructed using AWG size 20 conductors

and cellular polyethylene dielectric material with a polyethylene jacket,

attenuation at 473 MHz (UHF channel 14) probably will be near .3 dB per 100 ft

(30.5 m) of transmission line or about 1 dB for a 30-ft (9.1m) length of

transmission line. For comparison, if the same installation is made using

ordinary flat "twin-lead" constructed with AWG size 26 conductors and polyethylene dielectric material, the attenuation at 473 MHz probably will be

near 8 dB per 100 ft (30.5 m) of transmission line or about 2.5 dB for a 30-

ft (9.1 m) length of transmission line.

If radiated interference, picked up by unshielded transmission line, is

a problem, an antenna installation may be made using coaxial cable with

appropriate impedance matching transformers. Although shielded "twin-lead"

is available as indicated earlier, coaxial cable can provide shielding as

great as 80 dB.

Coaxial cable for 'IV applications typically is constructed using a solid

copper or copper covered steel center conductor (to facilitate use of the

type F connectors)--usually AWG size 18 for RG-6 type cable and AWG size 22

or 20 for RG-59 type cable. This conductor is enclosed by a dielectric

material which may be polyet.hylene, but more often it is cellular polyethylene. An outer conductor (shield) of aluminum foil covers the dielectric

material. An additional braided shield of aluminum or copper or one to four

drain wires completes the shield, and the cable is covered with a jacket of

polyvinyl-chloride or polyethylene. Differences in cOnductor size and

dielectric material again cause differences in attenuation. The attenuation

bounds Versus frequency for RG-6 type cable are shown in Figure 10 and in

Figure 11 for RG-59 type cable. We note the spread between "best" and

"worst" attenuation bounds t.ypically is not as great for the coaxial cables

34
400 500 600 700 800 900

Frequency, MHz

100 200 300

2

12

14 r------.,..----r-------.-----.,--------r----.,...------r----.--------,

(i) 10

'"0

c:

0

CD

+- 8

8

<,

CD

'"0

C 6

0

...

0

c:

Q)

+- +- 4 <t

Figure 10. Attenuation bounds (best and worst case) versus frequency

for new, dry RG-6 type coaxial cable, derived from manufacturers' data.

35
:14;r-------.,-----~--~-----r----~----r-----------------

lOO 200 ·400500

Frequency, MHz

auo 900

Fi;gure 11. Attenuation bounds (best and worst ,c,ase}v'ersus frequency

f'or new/dry RG-59 type coaxial cabLe , !d·erived f rom manufacturers" data.

36
as for the 300-o,hm Iftwin-l,ead.1I However, the least a tt.enuat.Lon is realized

using "qood" 'Itwin-I,ead. If The worst; a t t.erruat.Lon is realized using "poor" RG59 type coaxial cable.. In addition, ooaxLa L cable use usually requires that

matching transformers be used, which further attenuat'e the rf signal.

Our dLscuss i.ons withdistributorsoftransmissi,on line Lndi.cat;e that

RG-6 type coaxial cable would usually be used between the .ant.enna .and the

wall out.Let; or ·an intermediate signal distribution device orvpz-eampl.Lfi.e.r ,

For cormect Lon between t.he 'TV receiver and the wall outlet RG-59 type coaxial

cable usually is used. Television signal distribution cables "wired U into

th-e house also may beRG-59 type c-oaxial .cable, and it is quite probable that

RG-59 type coaxial cable is used entirely in some installations.

I'n addi.t.Lon vt.o t.ransmf.ss.i.on line attenuation , the'r,e is ,a loss caused by

dissipation of enezqy in the transmission line due to standing waves. 'This

additional loss will exceed IdB wh-en a transmission line with an attenuation

of 3dB or more is t.e rmd.nat.ed with an -rf component with ,a VSWR 2: 3. This

additional loss may be ,a probIem , especially at UHF when a long transmission

line from th,e aricerm.a is terminated -with a balun or splitter. having a VSWR

.2:. 3 at t.he receiver terminals (or if th'e receiver itself had an input VSWR

2:. 3). Figure 12" from t.he 1'972 ARRL Handbook, p. 561, is a plot of this

additional loss versus VS'WRan-d line attenuation.

9. DISCUSSION-CONCLUSIONS

This report was compiled almost exactly 20 years after the publication

of 1.fEngineering Aspecctsof Tel,evision Allocations-Re'port of the 'Television

Allocations StudyOrganiziation to t.he Fe·d:era1 Communications Commission, II

M,arch 16, 1959.This TAS,O Report evidently prompted the work at NBS, Boulder,

CoLozado , resulting in NBS Report 6099, by A.C. Wilson, entitled "Performance

o f VHF 'TV Rece Lv.Lnq Antennas." Apparently, little has changed in ,this p;eriod

of time in the performance ,of home television receiving antenna sys-tems

likely to be used by the consumer.

Typical system gains for best and worst selection of system components,

assuming 9.1 m (30 f t.) of transmission line in t.he system, are pr-esent.ed in

Table 12 for the five frequency bands of interest.

The data in this table are added to the antenna constant curve of

Figure 2 to express the power budget. equation graphically in Figure 13.

37
• e ~1--04'--+--+- < .

3 (5

a

O~ :..4 -

I

O'~l

0.3 ...,.~--+-:.~+--+-+­

01 ~1---4-,'-+-+--+

8

Qlai

LINE LOS$ IN 08. WHEN l,,(ATt:r!ED

Figure 12. Increase in line loss because of standing waves (SWR value

at the load). To determine the total loss in decibels in

a line having an SWR greater than 1, first determine the

loss for the particular type of line, length and frequency,

on the assumption that the line is perfectly matched.

Locate this point on the horizontal axis and move up to

the curve corresponding to the actual SWR. The corresponding value on the vertical axis gives the additional loss

in decibels caused by the standing waves.

38
Table 12. System Gain, dB, Versus Frequency, MHz

Frequency Range, MHz

System Low VHF High VHF Low UHF Mid UHF . High UHF

Type 54-88 174-216 470-582 582-694 694-806

Indoor

A, best - 3.1 -2.5 -1.7 1.4 -3.2

A, worst - 6.3 -3.1 -3.2 -0.9 -3.4

Outdoor

B, best 6.3 10.0 6.9 9.4 6.9

B, worst 0.2 2.0 1.9 4.2 -5.1

Outdoor

C, best 3.4 8.2 5.1 7.6 4.6

C, worst -8 .. 1 -3.9 -0.8 -2.8 -9.7

Outdoor

D, best 3.0 6.8 4.3 6.5 3.1

D, worst -10.3 -9.0 -8.0 -10.1 -23.0

39
Low UHF

High UHF

Mid UHF

{ HighVHF

Antenna Constant

c

60

200

600

800

400

40

20

Indoor /HF ')f LHF

Antenno Cutdoor 'J"'1For UH F

Antenna

A 7;00n / "R0Leod

JUlc.lOCf iHF - "";HF

A'Itenna ::.;Idcor .''''~ - lHF

t.'lte:1~o

-10 0 10

Prec (dBW) for Power Flow of 1W/m2 at Antenna

20 25

Figure 13. Graphical presentation of the range of the power budget

equation versus frequency for the four systems considered.

To convert the P scale to dB relative to 10-6 V at the

300 h · rec . . . . 0 m recelver termlnals wlth a fleld strength of

60 dB relative to 10-6 Vim at the antenna, add 59 dB.

40
Note, however, that there is no allowance made for building attenuation in

the type A system-indoor antennas; in fact, no propagation effects of any

kind are included in this antenna-to-receiver power budget--only plane-wave

fields with equal power flow at the antennas were assumed.

To provide a simple antenna gain model, some data from Table 1 have been

plotted in Figure 14.

10. REFERENCES

Cottony, H. V. (1958), Techniques for accurate measurement of antenna gain,

NBS Circular 598, December.

Free, W. R., and R. S. Smith (1978), Measurement of UHF television receiving

antennas, Engineering Experiment Station, Georgia Institute of Technology, Final Report on Project A-2066 to Public Broadcast Service,

February.

IEEE (1969), Definitions of terms for antennas, Standard No~ 145 (Revision of

48 IRE 2, 11, 15, SI, and Section 11 of No. 149-1965), March.

Jordan, E. e., Electromagnetic Waves and Radiating Systems (1950), (PrenticeHall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J.), pp. 413-418.

Kerns, D. M., and R. W. Beatty (1967), Basic theory o£ waveguide junctions

and introductory microwave network analysis (Pergamon Press Inc., Long

Island City, N.Y.), pp. 41-64.

The Radio Amateur's Handbook (1972), Forty-nint.h Edition published by the

American Radio Relay League, Newington, Conn., p. 568.

Report of the Television Allocations Study Organization (TASO) to the Federal

Communications Commission (1959), Engineering aspects of television

allocations, March 16, pp. 130-147.

Swinyard, William o. (1960), VHF and UHF television receiving equipment,

Proc. IRE, Vol. 48, No.6, Pt. 1, June, pp. 1066-1080.

Wilson, A. C. (1960), Performance of VHF TV receiving antennas, NBS Report

6099, revised May 26.

41
- Measured maximum, average, and minimum gain

for 12 VHF, UHF and combination VHF-UHF

outdoor receiving antennas

Average gain for 3 indoor antennas measured

outdoors

CD

"'C

Q) Low Band High Band UHF

0 VHF VHF

.9- 10 0

Q)

0

> 8 Av

-: I

6 0

I

0 4

...-----1v Av 0

0+-

Q)

> 2 :;::::

0

Q)

0:: 0 c

·0

(!) -2

0 , c

c: -4 I Q) I 0+-

c /

<{ -650 100 200 400 600 800 1000

Frequency, MHz

Figure 14. Measured antenna gain versus frequency.

42
APPENDIX. MEASURED RELATIVE GAIN PATTERNS

Antenna relative gain patterns in the azimuthal plane for nine different

types of VHF antennas measured at 63, 79, 183, and 213 MHz and for ten different types of UHF antennas measured at 473, 641, and 803 MHz are presented

in this Appendix. Four of the antennas were VHF/UHF combination antennas.

The gain increments for these plots are 5 dB, and the reference dipole

gain level is shown by the circle on the 180 deq - 0 deg line--20 dB below

maximum except for antenna number one, for which it is 15 dB below maximum.

43
90

.............--.....-4-_-........-.................-..._.. 0

270

Figure A-l. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 63 MHz for

antenna No.1.

44
90

270

Figure A-2. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 79 MHz for

antenna No.1.

45
90

180 ........- ......- .....--I-....- ....-a--.....-~

270

Figure A-3. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 183 MHz for

antenna No.1.

46

o
270

Figure A-4. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 213 MHz for

antenna No.1.

a
~o

270

Figure A-5. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 63 MHz for

antenna No .. 2.

48
180

90

270

Figure A-6. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 79 MHz for

antenna No.2.

49
270

Relative gain Pattern in the aZimUthal Plane at 183 MHz for

antenna No. 2.

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90

270

Figure A-B. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 213 MHz for

antenna No.2.

51
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180r-..,.......- .........-+-....- ...........

270

Figure A-IO. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 79 MHz for

antenna No.3.

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Figure A-12. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 213 MHz

for antenna No.3.

55
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Figure A-13. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 63 MHz

for antenna No.4.

56

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180 t--.....--t-....-+-..........-I--"."I;...;:::I

270

Figure A-14. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 79 MHz for

antenna No.4.

57

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180

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Figure A-15. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 183 MHz

for antenna No.4.

58

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Figure A-16. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 213 MHz

for antenna No.4.

59

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Figure A-17. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 63 MHz for

antenna No.5. Antenna was mounted on test stand 90 deg

off optical "boresight" to transmitting antenna.

60

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90

180.........- .......... ........................- ..........-.

270

Figure A-18. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 79 MHz for

antenna No.5. Antenna was mounted on test stand 90 deg

off optical "boresight" to transmitting antenna.

61

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270

Relative gain Pattern in th .

e aZ~muthal Plane at 183 MHz fOr

antenna ff No. 5. Antenna

was mOunted On test stand 90 deg

o OPtical "boreSight" t t

- 0 ranSmitting antenna.

62

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180 ...........--t~......-+-..........-~........;;l

270

Figure A-20. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 213 MHz for

antenna No.5. Antenna was mounted onQtest stand 90 deg

off optical "boresight" to t r ansmi tting antenna.

63
180

90

270

Figure A-2l. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 63 MHz

for antenna No.6.

64
90

180 ........--t~.....-+-........-.'--.~

270

Figure A-22. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 79 MHz

for antenna No.6.

65

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Figure A~23. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 183 MHz

for antenna No.6.

66

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180 t-....- ....-t--t-......-6--....e--I--~

90

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1--.-...-..-............-.....-1--.....---0

Figure A-24. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 213 MHz

for antenna No.6.

67
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Relative gain pattern in the aZimUthal Plane at 413 MHz for antenna No. 6.

68

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Figure A-26. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz

for antenna No.6.

69
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90

270

Figure A-27. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz

for antenna No.6. Beam splitting can be noted.

70

a
90

270

Figure A-28. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 63 MHz

for antenna No.7.

71

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270

Figure A-29. Relative gain pattern in the azirnuthalplane at 79 MHz

for antenna No.7.

72

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270

Figure A-3D. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 183 MHz

for antenna No.7.

73

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270

Figure A-3l. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 213 MHz

for antenna No.7.

74

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180 r-.,......,.-t-.,...-t-t--;-~=:I....I~

270

FigureA-32. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MHz

for antenna No.7.

75
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180

270

Relative gain pattern in

for antenna No. 7.

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Figure A-34. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz for

antenna No.7.

77
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Figure A-35. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 63 MHz for

antenna No.8.

78

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270

Figure A-36. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 79 MHz for

antenna No.8.

79

o
780

270

~elative gain pattern in the aZimutha.. l Pl.. ane

a t at 183 MHz for

n enna No. 8.

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90

180 .........--4~..........- ..........-I--~~

270

Figure A-38. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 213 MHz for

antenna No.8.

81
90

270

Figure A-39. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MHz for

antenna No.8.

82

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270

Figure A-40. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz for

antenna No.8.

83
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Figure A-42. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 63 MHz for

antenna No.9.

85

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270

Figure A-43. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 79 MHz for

antenna No.9.

86
780

Relative gain pattern in the aZimUthal Plane at 183 MD

Z

for

antenna No. 9. Q

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180 .........--4~......-+-+-.....-t--......

270

Figure A-45. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 213 MHz for

antenna No.9.

88

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90

270

Figure A-46. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MHz for

antenna No.9.

89
90

270

Figure A-47. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz for

antenna No.9.

90

o
270

antenna RelativeNo. gain9. Pattern in the aZimUthal Plane at 803 MHz fo~...

91

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90

,........- .....-+-.................~--I--IO

270

Figure A-49. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MH~ for

antenna No. 10.

92
90

270

Figure A-50. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz for

antenna No. 10.

93

o
90

270

Figure A-51. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz for

antenna No. 10.

o
90

270

Figure A-52.- Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MHz

for antenna No. 11.

95

o
90

270

Figure A-53. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz

for antenna No. 11.

96

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270

Figure A-54. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz

for antenna No. 11.

97

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180 r--r--+-+--f----6--I-..J-.-:::

270

Figure A-56. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MHz

for antenna No. l2b.

99

o
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for Relative antennagainNo.pattern 12a. in the aZimUthal Plane at 641 MH~

loa

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Figure A-58. 270

Relative gain Pattern in

for antenna No. 12b.

101

the aZimuthal Plane at 641 MHz

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90

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Figure A-59. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz for

antenna No. l2a. Beam splitting can be noted.

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o ? , i

L.......! / !

t:

"' .../"

90

270

103

Relative gain Pattern in the aZl."rnuthal

Plane at 803 MHz for

No. l2b. Beam SPlitting Can be noted.
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Fi'g'ur·e A-'62.Relative ·gain pact.ern in t.h,e azdmut.haL plane ,tlf 641 ;MHz

for antenn,aNo.13.
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Figure A-63. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz for

antenna No. 13.

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Relative gain pattern in the aZimuthal Plane at 473 MHz for

antenna No. 14.

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Figure A,-65. Rela.tive gain pattern in the azfmut.ha.L plane: at 641 MHz: for

antenna No. 14.

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Figure A-66. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MH,z for

antenna No. 14.

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Relative gain pattern in the aZimUthal Plane at 473 MHz for

antenna No. lSa. Antenna was mounted On test stand 90 deg Off OPtical "boresight" to tranSmitting antenna.

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Figure A-68. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 473 MHz for

antenna No. l5b. Antenna was mounted on test stand 90 deg

off optical "boresight" to transmitting antenna.

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Figure A-69. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz for

antenna No. 15a. Antenna was mounted on test stand 90 deg

off optical "boresight" to transmitting antenna.

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Figure A-70. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 641 MHz for

antenna No. 15b. Antenna was mount.ed on test stand 90 deg

off optical "boresight" to transmitting antenna.

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Figure A-7l. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz for

antenna No. l5a. Antenna was mounted on test stand 90 deg

off optical "boresight" to transmitting antenna.

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Figure A-72. Relative gain pattern in the azimuthal plane at 803 MHz for

antenna No. ISb. Antenna was mounted on test stand 90 deg

off optical "boresight" to transmitting antenna.

115

FORM OT -29

(3-73)

u.s. DEPARTMENT OF COMMEHCE

OFFICE OF TELECOMMUNI'CATIONS

BIBLIOGRAPHIC :DATA SH EEl

1. PUBLICATION OR REPORT NO.2. Govt Accession No.3. Recipient's Accession No,..

NTIA Report 79-22

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

TELEVISION RECEIVING ANTENNA SYSTEM COMPONENT

MEASUREMENTS

7. AUTHOR(S)

R. G. FitzGerrell, R. D. Jennings, and J. R. Juroshek

5. Publication Date

June 1979

6. Performing Organization Code

910.01

9. Pr·oj,e·ct/Task/Work Unit No.

9101113

8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS

US. Department of Commerce

National Telecommunications & Information Admi.n.is t r at.Loa 10. Contract/Grant No.

Instit.ute for Telecommunication Sciences

Boulder, CO 80303

11. Sp onsoring Org an i zati on Name ~nd Address

National Tel,ecommunications& Information

Administration

1800 G St. I NW

Washington, DC 20504

14. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

13,.

15. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less factual summary oimost significant intormerioa, Ii document includes a significant

bi bJiogra,phy ot literature survey, mention it here.)

Relative gain of f Lft e.en television receiving antennas was meaaur-ed as a

function of frequency and azimuth angle. Input voltage at.andi.nq....w,ave rat.i,o 'was

measured as a function of frequency to determine the scalar impedance properties

of the antennas 'These antennas, a sample of those available from sources likely

to be u t i.Lized by TV antenna installation technicians as well as coneumezs , ranqed

in price from $1.00 t.o $78 00 and in length from 18 em t.o 400 em. Insertion 1;085

of a sample of system components , balanced-to-unbalanced line t.ranaf.ormers and

VHF/UHF signal splitters, was measured, and transmission line attenuation was

obtained from manufacturers I data Antenna gain, component insertion Los s , transmission line attenuation, and calculated dipole antenna constant are the signif~cant. co~ponents of a power budget equation relating power flow in t.he 'I'V signal

f i.e Ld Lnci.de n t upon the antenna to the signal power available at the r-ecei.ver,

(continued)

16. Key Words (Alphabetical order, separated by semicolons)

Antenna gain; power budget calculations; TV.

17. AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

[!] UNLIMITED.

o FOR OFFICIAL DISTRIBUTION.

18. Se c ur i ty Class (This report)

Unclassified

19. Security Class (This page)

Unclassified

20. Number of pages

115

21. Price:

l'SCOMM-DC 29716-P73
15. ABSTRACT (Cont'd.)

Results for four simple types of home installations are

given. The range of the power budget data for best and

worst combinations of antennas, transmission lines, and

other system components illustrates the range of the

power available at the receiver versus frequency for a

specified power flow in the signal field.

U u.s.GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE:1979-680-469 I 510