Basic Antennas: Understanding Practical Antennas and Design [Paperback]

Joel R. Hallas (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 087259999X | ISBN-13: 978-0872599994 | Publication Date: February 28, 2009 | Edition: 1

Basic Antennas is a comprehensive introduction to antennas--basic concepts, practical designs, and details of easy-to-build antennas. You ll learn how to make antennas that really work! This book will provide a foundation in antenna theory and design necessary for anyone undertaking more advanced topics such as those presented in The ARRL Antenna Book. Includes: Dipole Antennas, Antenna Impedance, Transmission Lines, Practical Two Element Arrays, Wideband and Multiband Antennas Reflector Antennas, Yagis for HF and VHF, Loop Antennas, Antennas for Microwave Applications, Vehicle Antennas, Antenna Measurements, Plus, an Introduction to Antenna Modeling...and much more!

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Amer Radio Relay League; 1 edition (February 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087259999X
• ISBN-13: 978-0872599994
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #239,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joel R. Hallas, Amateur Radio call sign W1ZR, has been a radar and telecommunications systems engineer, engineering manager, telecommunications executive, college teacher and is now Technical Editor of QST, the monthly journal of ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. He has earned BS and MS degrees in electrical engineering. He in a Viet Nam era veteran of the US Army, assigned as a microwave relay technician and shift leader in Germany.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Antenna Theory Primer and Reference, March 19, 2009

By 

Dennis Miller "KC9IXO" (Ofallon, Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Basic Antennas: Understanding Practical Antennas and Design (Paperback)

This is a perfect book for those just getting started in antenna fabrication and design. Loaded with Figures.

Written on an 8th grade reading level, it contains the basic 468/f for dipoles, how to match impeadance to many different types antennas, transmission line do's and don't's, figuring heighth above ground, how to gamma match, computing SWR, using and figuring decibels on Windows Scientific Calculator... so much more.

This book is easy enough to read that my 10yr old found the 462/f for large diameter elements and cut a ground plane for 10m from a piece of toprail from a chain link fence. We now run a beacon on 28.2565 on that antenna.

If you can comprehend the Technician book, this book is on the same level.

Also, it's perfect for reference.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for total beginners, November 1, 2011

By 

UsedToLoveH.E.R. - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Basic Antennas: Understanding Practical Antennas and Design (Paperback)

I'm not going to say that this book is either "good" or "bad." Rather, I'm going to tell you that the author did not explain things thoroughly enough for people who are new to antennas and electronics altogether. If you are already familiar with technical aspects of how radios and other electronics work (to a pretty good degree), you'll probably be fine with the book. Otherwise, you're going to struggle.

The book simply does not go into enough detail to explain concepts like impedance thoroughly enough for total beginners. The only issue is that the title of this book is a bit misleading and would likely attract newbies.

This is coming from a guy who is currently getting nearly 100% in my electrical and electronics class, has a background of about a year and a half of electrical study now, and wants to be an electrician.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, March 25, 2009

By 

William Childs (Oregon U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Basic Antennas: Understanding Practical Antennas and Design (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for any ham and for any junior engineer beginning work in the antenna area. Mr. Hallas unifies the discussion of antennas by using ENZEC to simulate the various antenna types. It is not an antenna textbook that uses vector potentials etc. By combining physical insight in combination with the ENZEC simulations to verify the insight, the whole field is made comprehensible. This is also done in a readable and concise style. Finally, I would mention that Mr. Halas' years of experience show up in many comments in the book.