Hi,
Frans Veldman did a superb job of explaining the practicality of the
half-wave dipole in particular for a Europa because of its great vertical
fin area.
As he said, the 'gain' attributed to other forms is always at the
cost of overall effectiveness where contact with ground stations is a
concern. The flashlight ( 'torch) is the perfect example. It doesn't light
up areas behind it very well, but the forward gain is excellent.
Perhaps another antenna could be a fullwave circular wire inside the
aft fuselage and fed at the fuselage join halfway up, but then you'd need to
point the Europa to fire ahead or behind.
Thanks, Frans
Ferg
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