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Subelement E9
ANTENNAS AND TRANSMISSION LINES
Section E9H
Effective radiated power; system gains and losses; radio direction finding antennas
What is the effective radiated power relative to a dipole of a repeater station with 150 watts transmitter power output, 2-dB feed line loss, 2.2-dB duplexer loss and 7-dBd antenna gain?
  • 1977 watts
  • 78.7 watts
  • 420 watts
  • Correct Answer
    286 watts

The power gain G in dB is given by the following equation: \[\text{Gain } G= 10\log\left({P_2 \over P_1}\right)\] where:

  • \(P_2\) is the output power in Watts
  • \(P_1\) is the power in Watts applied to the input

We may algebraically solve for \(P_2\):

\[P_2 = P_1\left(10^{G/10}\right)\] We now have a simple formula for other similar problems.

The input power is \(P_1 =150 \text{ W}\). The net gain is \(G=7-4.2 = 2.8 \text{ dB}\). Applying the formula: \begin{align} P_2 &= 150\cdot10^{2.8/10}\\ &= 150\cdot10^{0.28}=285.82\\ &\approx286\text{ W} \end{align}


Here's yet another way...

When I was studying for this exam, I came across a much easier way to calculate ERP. This method converts the transmitter power to dB Watts so that you can easily add and subtract gains and losses. This technique requires a calculator that has a log function, which is allowed at the exam.

Using this question as an example: \[10\log(150)=21.8\]

Now you have apples and apples so you can add and subtract gains and losses: \[21.8 -2 -2.2 +7 = 24.56091259\]

Next you will need to divide by 10: \[24.56091259/10 = 2.456091259\]

TIP: You may want to store this temporarily in memory before proceeding.

Finally, apply the inverse log to return the gain (or loss) in Watts): \begin{align} InvLog(2.456091259)&=10^{2.456091259}\\ &\approx285.8\approx286\text{ W} \end{align}


Or use the "cheat": The net gain is \(7 - 4.2 = 2.8 \text{ dB}\). We know that \(3 \text{ dB}\) gain is double, so \(2.8\) is just under that. Double would be \(300\) watts so \(286\) is the only answer that is close.

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What is the effective radiated power relative to a dipole of a repeater station with 200 watts transmitter power output, 4-dB feed line loss, 3.2-dB duplexer loss, 0.8-dB circulator loss and 10-dBd antenna gain?
  • Correct Answer
    317 watts
  • 2000 watts
  • 126 watts
  • 300 watts

Sum the losses in the various stages:

\(4 \text{ dB} + 3.2 \text{ dB}+ 0.8\text{ dB}\) adds up to \(8\text{ dB}\) of loss in the total feed system. However, the antenna system gives us \(10\text{ dB}\) of gain (relative to a dipole). Fortunately, the question asks for the effective radiated power (ERP) relative to a dipole so no change to the antenna gain figure is needed.

\(10\text{ dBd}\) antenna gain minus \(8\text{ dB}\) feed system loss gives us an overall gain of \(2\text{ dB}\).

\(\text{Gain }G = 10\log\left(\frac{P_2}{P_1}\right)\), and we need to solve for \(P_2\), the ERP:

\[2\text{ dB} = 10\log\left(\frac{P_2}{200}\right)\]

Divide both sides by \(10\) giving:

\[0.2\text{ dB} = \log\left(\frac{P_2}{200}\right)\]

Take the inverse log of both sides:

\[10^{0.2} = \frac{P_2}{200}\]

evaluate:

\[1.585 = \frac{P_2}{200}\]

Multiply both sides by \(200\):

\[(1.585)(200) = P_2\]

Solve:

\[P_2 = 316.98\]


Alternatively, we may algebraically solve for \(P_2\): \begin{align} P_2 &= P_1 \left(10^{G/10}\right)\\ &= 200\times10^{2/10} = 200\times10^{0.2}\\ &=316.98\\ &\approx317 \text{ W} \end{align}

We now have a simple formula for other similar problems.

Silly Hint: add 4dB and 3.2 dB for 7, only answer with 7 in it

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What is the effective isotropic radiated power of a repeater station with 200 watts transmitter power output, 2-dB feed line loss, 2.8-dB duplexer loss, 1.2-dB circulator loss and 7-dBi antenna gain?
  • 159 watts
  • Correct Answer
    252 watts
  • 632 watts
  • 63.2 watts

In this example, the net gain after subtracting the total losses is equal to: \[7\text{ dB} – (2 \text{ dB} + 2.8 \text{ dB} + 1.2 \text{ dB}) = 1 \text{ dB} \] That’s equivalent to a ratio of \(1.26:1\), so the effective radiated power (ERP) is $200 \text{ W} \times 1.26 = 252 \text{ W} $.


Or

\[P_2 = 200 \times 10^{0.1} = 251.8 \text{ W} \]

Where does 0.1 come from? \begin{align} \mathrm{ERP} &= \mathrm{TPO} \times \log^{-1} \left(\frac{\text{system gain}}{10}\right) \\ &= \mathrm{TPO} \times \log^{-1} \left(\frac{1}{10}\right) \\ &= \mathrm{TPO} \times \log^{-1} (0.1) \\ &= 200 \times 10^{0.1} \end{align} Inverse log = \(b^y\) where \(\mathrm{base} = 10\) and \(y = 0.1\)

transmitter power output (TPO)

Where does the ratio \(1.26:1\) come from?

Actually it can be reverse calculated after you find the ERP BY THE 2ND METHOD


For additional information: https://www.kb6nu.com/extra-class-question-of-the-day-effective-radiated-power/

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What term describes station output, including the transmitter, antenna and everything in between, when considering transmitter power and system gains and losses?
  • Power factor
  • Half-power bandwidth
  • Correct Answer
    Effective radiated power
  • Apparent power
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What is the main drawback of a wire-loop antenna for direction finding?
  • Correct Answer
    It has a bidirectional pattern
  • It is non-rotatable
  • It receives equally well in all directions
  • It is practical for use only on VHF bands

in general terms: Yagi antennas commonly have a single strong beam in one direction. Wire-loop antennas commonly have two equal front and back direction patterns. Vertical antennas are mostly omni-directional.

Using a wire loop gives you a 50/50 chance of locating the direction during a "foxhunt" or RDF activity (radio direction finding). Other names are hidden transmitter hunting, radio-orienteering, ARDF, and fox-tailing, A handheld beam antenna, such as a hand-held yagi works best. For a picture, see a foxhunt in progress

at HomingIn.com.

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What is the triangulation method of direction finding?
  • The geometric angle of sky waves from the source are used to determine its position
  • A fixed receiving station plots three headings from the signal source on a map
  • Correct Answer
    Antenna headings from several different receiving locations are used to locate the signal source
  • A fixed receiving station uses three different antennas to plot the location of the signal source

You need three or more receiving sites distributed at some distance from each other and in different locations around the approximate search area. Each directional receiving antenna is rotated for maximum RSL and the direction azimuths are then plotted on a map. Where the lines cross is the location of the transmitter.

One receiver could drive around the search area, repeating the direction-finding process. However, this approach takes more time.

Hint: The question has the word Triangulation in it. Tri= 3. Thus it would usually require 3 or more separate antenna/stations to determine the location.

Hint 0.0: Triangulation. Triangle. Takes 3 points. 2 listening, one sending.

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Why is it advisable to use an RF attenuator on a receiver being used for direction finding?
  • It narrows the bandwidth of the received signal to improve signal to noise ratio
  • It compensates for the effects of an isotropic antenna, thereby improving directivity
  • It reduces loss of received signals caused by antenna pattern nulls, thereby increasing sensitivity
  • Correct Answer
    It prevents receiver overload which could make it difficult to determine peaks or nulls
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What is the function of a sense antenna?
  • Correct Answer
    It modifies the pattern of a DF antenna array to provide a null in one direction
  • It increases the sensitivity of a DF antenna array
  • It allows DF antennas to receive signals at different vertical angles
  • It provides diversity reception that cancels multipath signals

A second dipole or vertical antenna known as a sense antenna can be electrically combined with a loop or a loopstick antenna. Switching the second antenna in obtains a net cardioid radiation pattern from which the general direction of the transmitter can be determined. Then switching the sense antenna out returns the sharp nulls in the loop antenna pattern, allowing a precise bearing to be determined.

-cfadams

Silly Memory Hint: Your Sensei will help One find Direction

Another Silly Memory Hint: Null sense antenna

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Which of the following describes the construction of a receiving loop antenna?
  • A large circularly-polarized antenna
  • A small coil of wire tightly wound around a toroidal ferrite core
  • Correct Answer
    One or more turns of wire wound in the shape of a large open coil
  • A vertical antenna coupled to a feed line through an inductive loop of wire

Loop antenna or Radio antenna is made of a loop of wire or some electrical conductor with a circumference equal to the wavelength. There are two basic sizes, small (magnetic) and large (resonant) type. The ends of the loop are connected to a balanced transmission line.

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How can the output voltage of a multi-turn receiving loop antenna be increased?
  • By reducing the permeability of the loop shield
  • By increasing the number of wire turns in the loop and reducing the area of the loop structure
  • By winding adjacent turns in opposing directions
  • Correct Answer
    By increasing either the number of wire turns in the loop or the area of the loop structure or both
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What characteristic of a cardioid-pattern antenna is useful for direction finding?
  • A very sharp peak
  • Correct Answer
    A very sharp single null
  • Broad band response
  • High-radiation angle

As the cardio part of the name implies, cardioid shape means heart shaped.

A transmitted cardioid radiation pattern has much of the radiated signal focused forward, in the direction that the antenna is pointing, with less and less signal energy as you go around the sides and up to almost behind antenna, then there is a distinct null (an area of no radiated energy) directly behind the antenna.

In the case of direction finding, if you rotate the cardioid patterned antenna connected to your receiver, until the incoming signal is lost, then it would result in the antenna pointing directly away from the signal source.

Note that it is the radiation pattern from the antenna that is heart shaped, not the antenna itself. There are a number of different antenna designs of various shapes that make a cardioid radiation pattern.

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What is an advantage of using a shielded loop antenna for direction finding?
  • It automatically cancels ignition noise pickup in mobile installations
  • Correct Answer
    It is electro-statically balanced against ground, giving better nulls
  • It eliminates tracking errors caused by strong out-of-band signals
  • It allows stations to communicate without giving away their position

Direction finding is an activity that’s both fun and useful. One of the ways that it’s useful is to hunt down noise sources. It can also be used to hunt down stations causing harmful interference.

A variety of directional antennas are used in direction finding, including the shielded loop antenna.

An advantage of using a shielded loop antenna for direction finding is that it is electro-statically balanced against ground, giving better nulls.

The main drawback of a wire-loop antenna for direction finding is that it has a bidirectional pattern. (E9H05)

Source: KB6NU.com - Extra Class question of the day: Direction finding

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