Beginning Radio Communications: Radio Projects and Theory

© Alex Wulff 2019

A. WulffBeginning Radio Communicationshttps://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-5302-1_3

3. Antennas

Alex Wulff¹ 

(1)

Cambridge, MA, USA

 

Antennas are the interface between the world of electronics and the world of electromagnetic radiation. All electronic devices depend on current, the flow of charge, and voltage, electric potential, to perform their intended function. An antenna can transform an alternating current (AC) into a radio wave and vice versa. In this chapter, we’ll explore the physics that governs how antennas work and how you can use antennas to communicate. We'll cover everything from basic wire antennas to massive radio dishes such as those shown in Figure 3-1.

Figure 3-1

Radio telescopes use parabolic antennas (“radio dishes”) ...