VHF Manpack Centerfed Whip Antenna.

Historically, manpack radios operating in the VHF military communications band, have been equipped with basefed whip antennas requiring electrically small manpack radiocase to serve as a counterpoise. Since the manpack case is in rather close contact with the carriers body, antenna performance is affected by body positions standing, prone, etc. and by the degree of coupling to the carriers body as determined by clothing and body conductivity. The objective of the work presented in this report is to develop a 30-88 MHz manpack whip antenna exhibiting impedance, efficiency and radiation pattern characteristics which are less sensitive to body proximity and position. A further objective is to achieve a radiating structure which can be matched to a 50 ohm source, under all operating conditions, employing no more than six fixed-tuned matching networks. Author