CHAPTER 4.3 AM Broadcast Antenna Systems

RONALD D. RACKLEY*

du Treil, Lundin & Rackley, Inc., Sarasota, Florida

INTRODUCTION

Medium-wave broadcast (AM) antenna systems can reach a high degree of sophistication, much of which is based on advanced mathematics. The purpose of this chapter is to provide the station engineer with an understanding of some of the basic concepts of antenna design and an appreciation for the complexities of this specialty. An extensive bibliography is included at the end of the chapter for further study of the subject.

The chief purpose of a broadcast antenna system is to radiate efficiently the power supplied to it by the transmitter. A simple antenna can do this job quite well. This is often a single vertical tower ...

Get National Association of Broadcasters Engineering Handbook, 10th Edition now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.