Subj : Antenna To : James Bradley From : MIKE ROSS Date : Wed Jul 06 2005 11:56 am "James Bradley" bravely wrote to "Mike Ross" (24 Jul 05 00:18:16) --- on the heady topic of "Antenna" JB> MIKE ROSS wrote to TOM WALKER, "Re: Antenna" on 07-05-05 22:44 MR> The only radios that work at the best they can are MR> those with a balanced antenna because the ground is is not needed. JB> Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't a balanced design have a JB> 'virtual ground' roughly between the points that the wires diverge? Virtual means imaginary. It is just a mathematical curiosity. Grounding that point won't make a difference at all. Consider a balanced antenna in deep space, there is no ground to be found anywhere but it still works as well as on Earth. Now an unbalanced antenna can also work but it must be supplied an artificial ground or "counterpoise". This consists of at least 2 radials establishing a ground plane opposite the antenna. In effect the combination of unbalanced antenna and counterpoise behaves like a balanced antenna. Mobile antennas like CB's & taxis are a familiar example. M*i*k*e .... Fido, the very best source of technical advise. --- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30 * Origin: Juxtaposition BBS, Telnet:juxtaposition.dynip.com (1:167/133) .