Compact, directive, broadband antenna system having end loaded dipoles

Abstract

A compact, all channel television antenna system is provided for improved reception within buildings where multiple reflections or ghosting and weak signals are typical operating conditions. The high performance in this environment with a very small antenna is achieved by the antenna's directive gain and pattern nulls, good impedance matching, low acceptance of vertical polarization, band switching, and repeatable orientation of the antenna. The antenna is characterized by a miniature, symmetrically top-loaded dipole and efficient matching circuit at the lower VHF television band. The top-loading elements are reused as parasitic elements in a compact, directive array at the upper VHF channels. Similarly, in the UHF television bands bending and top loading is used to reduce the size of radiators and to provide loading for the VHF bands. A construction of UHF half loops in parallel is used with a system of reflecting and directing elements.