Technical Support

Phasing of Side Mounted Dipole Antennas

MOUNTING
The SMD range of side mounted dipole antennas offer system
designers a wide choice in the areas of horizontal radiation patterns
and gain. The following radiation patterns were measured when an
SMD1 was mounted with the stated antenna to mast spacings. The
pattern changes dramatically with this spacing on other than a 2”
diameter mast. In the case of a larger mast (eg: lattice mast
structure), the overall effect is thinner main lobes and more
pronounced nulls.

PHASING
When phasing SMD antennas, designers should first take into
account the antenna to mast spacings. The effect in the H plane of
phasing SMD antennas is fairly minimal, with only a slight reduction
in the horizontal beamwidths (as shown for a single antenna) when
up to four antennas are phased. Gain is increased nominally by 3dB
when a second antenna is used and 6db for an array of four.

Vertical radiation patterns are generally larger than for a series fed
collinear (ie fiberglass enclosed) due to the directional nature of the
array - one of the obvious advantages of using an SMD antenna.
SMD antennas also offer beamtilt stability over a fairly broad
bandwidth (up to +/- 10%) and direct grounding for lightning
protection. The chart below indicates the optimum spacings
between antennas when phasing. Our range of phasing harnesses
is listed on page 78.
Four Stack

¼ wave spacing ½ wave spacing ¾ wave spacing 1 wave spacing

MHz Centre D= ¼ wave D= ½ wave D= ¾ wave D= 1 wave S

Model Number
frequency (inches) (inches) (inches) (inches) (inches)

SMD1 77 38.3 76.7 115.0 153.4 115.0

SMD2 161 18.3 36.7 55.0 73.3 55.0

SMD4 460 6.4 12.8 19.3 25.7 19.3

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 Technical Support

Phasing of Side Mounted Dipole Antennas cont’d

Phasing UHF Dipole Antennas
When using side mounted dipole antennas it is important to ensure
that the antenna to mast spacings AND the antenna to antenna
spacings are optimized for your application. The following graphs
indicate the optimum antenna center to antenna center spacings
and antenna to mast spacings for your frequency of use.

On the previous page is an illustration of the various patterns

effected at VHF frequencies when side mounted dipole antennas are
mounted at differing distances from the support mast.

A similar series of patterns will also be effected at UHF

frequencies, however it is important to note that for any given
support mast, the effect on a UHF antenna will be greatly
exaggerated, with deeper nulls and more pronounced peaks in the
pattern. We urge the use of our BA, EA and OA Series arrays at
UHF for predictable pattern performance.

Please note that when using two side mounted dipole antennas
phased together, total antenna gain will be increased by 3 dB and if Four stack
using four antennas, the antenna gain will be increased by 6 dB.
This increase in gain is IN ADDITION to any gain which is afforded
by the manipulation of the antenna pattern through antenna to mast
spacings as shown opposite.

PLEASE NOTE: We strongly recommend against the phasing of

800 MHz side mounted dipole antennas as the control of the
dimensions is far too critical to be adequately controlled in the field.
Thus, we do not publish any information to assist in the phasing of
our 800 MHz side mount dipole antennas.

Two stack

Centers - Mast to Dipole - Dim D Centres - Mast to Dipole - Dim S

Metres
Meters

MHz MHz

¼ Wavelength
½ Wavelength SMD4

Dipole Spacing vs Frequency

Note: For conversion from metric to imperial measurements see page 85 of the Tech Support section

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ANTENNAS
 Technical Support

Phasing of Side Mounted Dipole Antennas cont’d

Phasing VHF Dipole Antennas antennas, the antenna gain will be increased
When using side mounted dipole antennas it is by 6dB.
important to ensure that the antenna to mast
spacings AND the antenna to antenna spacings are This increase in gains is IN ADDITION to any gain
optimized for your application. The following graphs which is afforded by the manipulation of the
indicate the optimum vertical spacings and antenna antenna pattern through antenna to mast spacings
to mast spacings for your frequency of use. as shown opposite.

Earlier in this section is an illustration of the various

PLEASE NOTE: For both SMD1 and SMD2
patterns effected at VHF frequencies when side
antennas, the full band coverage of the antennas
mounted dipole antennas are mounted at differing
can be maintained for a stack of two or four antennas
distances from the support mast.
if the correct phasing harness is used.
Please note that when using two side mounted
dipole antennas phased together, total antenna
gain will be increased by 3 dB and if using four
Meters
Meters

MHz
¼ Wavelength ½ Wavelength

MHz
¼ Wavelength ½ Wavelength

Two and four stack dipoles - D

Meters
Meters

MHz MHz
SMD1 SMD2

Two and four stack dipoles - S

Note: For conversion from metric to imperial measurements see page 85 of the Tech Support section

90 www.rfiantennas.com

ANTENNAS