Theory, Modeling, and Practical Applications
By W5JCK
Copyright © 2009, by Ceburn Jack Swinden
Preface
I am very much indebted to the research
and data from many hams, especially the
notes of L. B. Cebik, W4RNL, SK (2008).
Scope of this Presentation
This presentation will do the following:
Examine NVIS antenna theory
Examine antenna models
Provide a basis for determining antenna installations
This presentation will NOT do the following:
Suggest which antenna is best
Provide construction details for antennas
Presentation Outline
1. Scope of Presentation 7. Debunking the Reflector
2. What is NVIS? Myths
3. Terminology 8. Fixed stations
4. Skywaves & Ground waves 9. Field stations
5. Usable bands for NVIS 10. Size restrictions and
limitations
6. Basic design criteria
What is NVIS?
NVIS stands for Near-Vertical Incidence Skywave
radio propagation.
NVIS is used for short range communications, that is
out to about 200 to 300 miles.
The many purposes for NVIS propagation includes
military communications and emergency communi-
cations (EMCOMM).
• Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF)
• Critical Angle of Radiation
• Vertical-Incidence Critical Frequency
Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF)
The highest frequency at any given time and for any
given set of circumstances that can be refracted off the
ionosphere
MUF is constantly changing
Frequencies higher than the MUF will pass through
the ionosphere and be heard by ET
Critical Angle of Radiation
The steepest angle at which a radio signal can be
refracted by the ionosphere at any given time and for
any given set of circumstances
Critical Angle of Radiation is constantly changing
Radio signals at angles greater than the Critical Angle
of Radiation will pass through the ionosphere and be
heard by ET
Vertical-Incidence Critical Frequency
The MUF for local skywave high-angle communication
Vertical-Incidence Critical Frequency is constantly
changing
Vertical-Incidence Critical Frequency averages
between 2 and 13 MHz for the F-layer, ranging from 2
MHZ during nighttime at the lowest point of the solar
cycle to 13 MHz during the daytime at the highest
point of the solar cycle
Antennas produce two kinds of radio propagation waves:
• Skywaves
• Ground waves
Ground wave propagation
Ground waves travel close
to the ground
Ground waves bend
downward slightly more
than the curvature of the
Earth
As frequency increases,
maximum ground wave
distance decreases
Skywave propagation
Solar radiation creates free
electrons and positively charged
ions in the ionosphere
When the ionization is dense
enough, and the radio wavelength
is long enough, the radio wave is
bent back toward Earth
Daytime conditions usually favor
the 40m ham band
Nighttime conditions usually
favor the 80m ham band
Not all ham bands or reliable for NVIS communication. So
let us examine the best bands to use, and when.
Which bands should I use?
Remember that Vertical-Incidence Critical Frequency
averages between 2 and 13 MHz, so we can eliminate
20m band and all higher bands.
30m is marginal, and 160m requires a huge antenna ,
so we can eliminate them as well.
That leaves us with the 80m, 60m, and 40m bands that
are traditionally used for reliable NVIS operation.
What time is best for each band?
The D Layer exists during the daytime, then fades
away after dark. Since the D Layer absorbs radiation in
the upper MF and lower HF range, it makes 80m
unreliable for NVIS operation during the daytime.
After dark when the D Layer dissipates, 80m becomes
reliable.
During the daytime 40m is reliable for NVIS operation.
However, it is not reliable at nighttime.
What time is best for each band?
There is a lag time between daytime and nighttime,
and vice versa, when 80m and 40m can be unreliable.
60m can fill this void. However, it is low power (50
watts PEP) and amateur radio can only use it on a
secondary basis.
To sum up: Useable NVIS Bands
Daytime: 40m is the most reliable
Twilight: While the D Layer dissipates, 60m might be
reliable
Nighttime: 80m is the most reliable
Dawn: While the D Layer is forming, 60m might be
reliable
• Maximum Gain and Zenith Gain
• Broadside and Endwire Beamwidths (Radiation Pattern)
• Bandwidth
• Installation Height above Ground
• Ground (Soil) Quality
Maximum Gain and Zenith Gain
Dipole ½-ʎ above ground NVIS dipole
2D Beamwidths (max. gain to -3 dB)
Dipole ½-ʎ above ground NVIS dipole
3D Beamwidths Broadside to Wires
Dipole ½-ʎ above ground NVIS dipole
3D Beamwidths (horiz. & endwire)
Dipole ½-ʎ above ground NVIS dipole
3D Radiation Pattern
Dipole ½-ʎ above ground NVIS dipole
Propagation Patterns
Dipole ½-ʎ above ground NVIS dipole
Mapped Propagation Patterns 1
Dipole ½-ʎ above ground NVIS dipole
Mapped Propagation Patterns 2
Dipole ½-ʎ above ground NVIS dipole
Bandwidth
We can define the
antenna’s bandwidth as
the part of the band that
can be tuned to 2:1 SWR or
lower, preferably without
the aid of a tuner.
Installation Height
Installation height is
very important
The optimum height for
NVIS reflects the highest
Zenith Gain
Notice how height
affects the impedance
Ground (Soil) Quality
As soil quality degrades, 40m dipole
the optimum height of the Soil Height Max BS EW Feed R Feed X
Quality Gain BW BW
NVIS increases Very 0.175 λ 7.15 dBi 109.0 66.2 64.16 11.37
Good
As soil quality degrades,
the broadside beamwidth
Average 0.195 λ 6.09 dBi 119.0 67.0 72.21 1.76
increases in ratio to the
endwire beamwidth
Very 0.205 λ 4.86 dBi 129.0 67.8 73.90 -7.76
Poor
The myth states that a single wire (parasitic) reflector placed
directly below the NVIS dipole will turn the dipole into a “cloud
burning”, 2-element HF yagi pointed straight upwards. The
implication is that a parasitic reflector will greatly enhance an
NVIS antenna.
Two Types of Reflectors
Parasitic Reflector: a single wire reflector appx. 1.05
times the length of the driver element (dipole wires)
and elevated 0.01-λ to 0.06-λ above the ground
Planar Reflector: a series of 9 or more equal
distanced, parallel wires centered beneath the NVIS
antenna creating a rectangular screen that is 1.2-λ by
0.8-λ
Parasitic Reflector
A 2-element yagi elevated at ½-λ above ground and
pointing to the horizon can yield 3 dB gain
A parasitic reflector near the ground and below an
NVIS dipole or 1-λ loop only yields 0.2 dB to 0.7 dB
gain, depending on soil quality, and it will decrease the
bandwidth of the antenna by about 25%
If placed below an NVIS Inverted Vee the bandwidth
will decrease by 50% or more
Planar Reflector
A planar reflector placed on the ground below an NVIS
dipole, 1-λ loop, or Inverted Vee yields about 1 dB gain
It has a negligible effect on the antenna’s bandwidth
It requires appx. 2800 feet of wire for 80m or 1476 feet
for 40m
It requires a space of 311 ft x 207 ft for 80m or 164 ft x
109 ft for 40m
In this section we look at the optimum installations of several
types of NVIS antennas. By “fixed station” I mean a permanent
location which affords us better opportunity to optimize our
antenna than would a temporary field location. In the next
section we will look at some practical field installations.
NOTE: All antennas in this presentation were modeled
using AWG #14 copper stranded, insulated wire.
NVIS Dipoles (L=0.4806-λ)
80m Dipole 40m Dipole
Length = 0.4806-λ Length = 0.4806-λ
Soil Height Gain Soil Height Gain
Very 0.165 λ 7.40 dBi Very 0.175 λ 7.15 dBi
Good 41.61 ft Good 23.91 ft
Avg. 0.185 λ 6.42 dBi Avg. 0.195 λ 6.09 dBi
46.66 ft 26.64 ft
Very 0.195 λ 5.13 dBi Very 0.205 λ 4.86 dBi
Poor 49.18 ft Poor 28.00 ft
NVIS Dipoles
NVIS 1-λ Loops
80m Dipole 40m Dipole
Length = 1.0248-λ Length = 1.0296-λ
Soil Height Gain Soil Height Gain
Very 0.165 λ 7.96 dBi Very 0.175 λ 7.74 dBi
Good 41.61 ft Good 23.91 ft
Avg. 0.185 λ 7.04 dBi Avg. 0.195 λ 6.76 dBi
46.66 ft 26.64 ft
Very 0.195 λ 5.85 dBi Very 0.205 λ 5.64 dBi
Poor 49.18 ft Poor 28.00 ft
NVIS 1-λ Loops
NVIS Inverted Vees
80m Inverted Vee 40m Inverted Vee
Length = 0.4820-λ Length = 0.4820-λ
Soil Height Gain Soil Height Gain
Very 0.235 λ 6.42 dBi Very 0.235 λ 6.19 dBi
Good 59.27 ft Good 32.10 ft
Avg. 0.245 λ 5.52 dBi Avg. 0.255 λ 5.24 dBi
61.79 ft 34.83 ft
Very 0.255 λ 4.33 dBi Very 0.255 λ 4.11 dBi
Poor 64.31 ft Poor 34.83 ft
NVIS Inverted Vees
NVIS 104’ 80m/40m Doublet
(with 33.5’ 450 Ω ladderline)
80m 60m 40m
Height Soil Gain / R Gain / R Gain / R
35 feet Very 7.16 dBi 7.40 dBi 7.14 dBi
Good 29.01 Ω 477.50 Ω 55.76 Ω
35 feet Avg. 5.90 dBi 6.43 dBi 6.34 dBi
34.20 Ω 537.10 Ω 54.92 Ω
35 feet Very 4.40 dBi 5.15 dBi 5.30 dBi
Poor 39.00 Ω 610.00 Ω 53.57 Ω
NVIS 104’ 80m/40m Doublet
Comparison of radiation patterns
NOTE: These radiation
patterns reflect signal
coverage at 4.59 dBi for
each antenna shown in
order to better compare
them to the beamwidth of
the dipole installed at ½-λ,
which has a beamwidth of
7.59 to 4.59 dBi.
In this section we look at less than the optimum, but practical,
installations of a few types of NVIS antennas at temporary field
locations.
NOTE: All antennas in this presentation were modeled
using AWG #14 copper stranded, insulated wire.
Dipoles
Practical Field Installation Optimum Fixed Installation
80m (3.9 MHz) installed at 35 feet 80m (3.9 MHz) installed at optimum height
Soil Zen Gain BS BW EW BW Soil Height Zen Gain BS BW EW BW
Very Good 7.30 dBi 101.6 64.4 Very Good 41.61 ft 7.40 dBi 105.6 65.4
Average 6.07 dBi 106.8 65.2 Average 46.66 ft 6.42 dBi 115.0 67.0
Very Poor 4.59 dBi 115.8 66.8 Very Poor 49.18 ft 5.13 dBi 126.4 68.2
40m (7.2 MHz) installed at 25 feet 40m (7.2 MHz) installed at optimum height
Soil Zen Gain BS BW EW BW Soil Height Zen Gain BS BW EW BW
Very Good 7.14 dBi 110.4 66.7 Very Good 23.91 ft 7.15 dBi 109.0 66.2
Average 6.07 dBi 116.4 66.4 Average 26.64 ft 6.09 dBi 118.8 67.0
Very Poor 4.78 dBi 124.8 67.0 Very Poor 28.00 ft 4.86 dBi 129.0 67.8
1-λ Loops
Practical Field Installation Optimum Fixed Installation
80m (3.9 MHz) installed at 35 feet 80m (3.9 MHz) installed at optimum height
Soil Zen Gain BS BW EW BW Soil Height Zen Gain BS BW EW BW
Very Good 7.87 dBi 81.8 67.8 Very Good 41.61 ft 7.96 dBi 84.7 69.0
Average 6.70 dBi 85.3 68.6 Average 46.66 ft 7.04 dBi 92.0 70.8
Very Poor 5.32 dBi 91.8 70.8 Very Poor 49.18 ft 5.85 dBi 101.8 72.2
40m (7.2 MHz) installed at 25 feet 40m (7.2 MHz) installed at optimum height
Soil Zen Gain BS BW EW BW Soil Height Zen Gain BS BW EW BW
Very Good 7.73 dBi 88.2 70.4 Very Good 23.91 ft 7.74 dBi 87.0 69.8
Average 6.74 dBi 92.6 70.0 Average 26.64 ft 6.76 dBi 95.0 70.8
Very Poor 5.57 dBi 99.1 70.8 Very Poor 28.00 ft 5.64 dBi 104.0 71.8
Inverted Vees with 30° Angle
Practical Field Installation Optimum Fixed Installation
80m (3.9 MHz) installed at 45 feet 80m (3.9 MHz) installed at optimum height
Soil Zen Gain BS BW EW BW Soil Height Zen Gain BS BW EW BW
Very Good 5.93 dBi 101.8 81.4 Very Good 59.27 ft 6.42 dBi 111.6 78.5
Average 4.59 dBi 107.2 80.4 Average 64.31 ft 5.52 dBi 119.6 77.4
Very Poor 3.14 dBi 116.4 79.8 Very Poor 64.31 ft 4.33 dBi 130.4 76.4
40m (7.2 MHz) installed at 35 feet 40m (7.2 MHz) installed at optimum height
Soil Zen Gain BS BW EW BW Soil Height Zen Gain BS BW EW BW
Very Good 6.17 dBi 117.8 78.8 Very Good 32.10 ft 6.19 dBi 113.2 78.2
Average 5.24 dBi 123.8 76.8 Average 34.83 ft 5.24 dBi 123.4 76.8
Very Poor 4.11 dBi 131.2 75.6 Very Poor 34.83 ft 4.11 dBi 131.0 75.6
