6 shows the SWR pattern for the three antenna models. The shorter antennas show the same pattern. However, the pattern is less evident because there are fewer maximum and minimum values to sample. We may also note that the longer the WBFD, the higher the SWR excursions for a given value of terminating resistor. In other words, for a given wire size, spacing, and terminating resistor, longer WBFDs will exhibit a larger range within any given SWR cycle.
Some manufacturers recommend the use of very long coaxial cables.
Since the losses in the line increase with frequency, the SWR observed at the station end of the line will be lower at higher HF frequencies than at lower HF frequencies for any given value of SWR at the antenna end of the cable. Compared to the reduced gain already inherent in WBFD design, the added losses of a long cable run are not considered excessive when totalling the overall system gain. Although limited in range compared to a wide-range external antenna tuner, these tuners are certainly adequate to handle the modest SWR values presented by even the longest WBFDs. The decision to use a WBFD involves an evaluation of one's goals in operating or listening. Only with a set of specifications of this order can one decide whether the WBFD will meet the needs.