Networking Tips Tricks

( note that basic antenna concepts may make reference to vehicular installation.  While this installation situation is not applicable to wireless broadband, the fundamental theory is very similar) Antenna An antenna is a device that transmits and/or receives electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic waves are often referred to as radio waves. Most antennas are resonant devices, which operate efficiently over a relatively narrow frequency band. An antenna must be tuned to the same frequency band that the radio system to which it is connected operates in, otherwise reception and/or transmission will be impaired. Wavelength We often refer to antenna size relative to wavelength. For example: a half-wave dipole, which is approximately a half-wavelength long. Wavelength is the distance a radio wave will travel during one cycle. The formula for wavelength is: Note: The length of a half-wave dipole is slightly less than a half-wavelength due to end effect. The speed of propagati...