The Horizontally Polarized Dipole Antenna as a Solution to the Problems of High Frequency Short Range Communications

The purpose of this paper is to examine the problem of short range communications, in particular, communications within the area of the high frequency band commonly known as the skip zone or silent area and to determine the feasibility and extent to which a horizontally polarized antenna could be used to alleviate these problems. A documentation of the problems of short range communications as they affect U. S. Naval operations will be made, including ship to shore, shore to ship, and ship to ship communications. Current methods of communicating within this region will be examined, and a study of the cost effectiveness of the solution will be made to determine if the solution is in fact worth the the investment.