What the syllabus asks you to cover
Isotropic antenna, Omni directional antenna; Dipole, Directional antennas, Travelling wave antennas – single wire, V and Rhombus Reflector antennas – large plane sheet, small plane sheet, linear, corner, parabolic, elliptical, hyperbolic and circular reflector. Aperture antenna horn Array antennas – Yagi Uda, Log Periodic Other antennas – Monopole, Loop, Helical, Micro strip.
Start here for the core ideas. A dedicated GitBook topic page was not available; this original guide is introductory. Use the syllabus checklist and references below to study the remaining details.
Classify by structure and use
Start with dipoles and monopoles, then compare loops, arrays, aperture antennas and reflector antennas. A half-wave dipole is approximately half a wavelength long; practical dimensions depend on end effects, conductor geometry and the surrounding medium. A monopole uses a ground plane or equivalent return structure.
Match a pattern to a task
Arrays combine fields from multiple elements to shape or steer the beam. Reflectors and horns can provide a narrow beam when the aperture is large relative to wavelength. A narrow beam is useful for a point-to-point link, while broader coverage may suit a broadcast or mobile application. Antenna size, efficiency, bandwidth and polarization all affect selection.
Try it
At 300 MHz, free-space wavelength is about 1 m. A nominal half-wave dipole therefore starts near 0.5 m before practical correction.
Check your understanding
Compare a dipole, loop, horn and parabolic reflector. Why must array spacing and relative phase be considered together? Draw the qualitative patterns before memorizing antenna names.
Pause and recall
Without looking back, explain the main idea, recall a key definition or formula, and describe when it applies. Include assumptions and units where relevant. Revisit any step you could not explain.