Practical Antenna Handbook 5/e, 5th Edition

CHAPTER 11Vertical Arrays

Despite its longevity, the vertical antenna is either praised or cursed by its users, depending upon their experiences with it. At HF in particular, “DXability” is often the criterion for judging the antenna’s performance. As amateurs and others have come to appreciate the importance of a good RF ground system to the vertical’s performance, in recent years the vertical has come into its own on the 1.8- and 3.5-MHz bands because it provides superior low-angle radiation compared to the low dipoles that are the only alternative for most users.

But a vertical antenna is omnidirectional in its azimuthal (compass rose) coverage; that is, it transmits and it “hears” equally well in all directions. Thus, a single vertical exhibits ...