A Wideband Low-Sidelobe Source Antenna for a VHF Antenna Range

Abstract : The RF characteristics of a four-element diagonal array configured to yield low sidelobes, dual circular polarization with low axial ratio and high front-to-back ratio are described. The array was designed for use as source antenna in a VHF test range, where the test antenna is nearly omnidirectional and ground multipath effects are a major problem. To achieve broadband performance, crossed open-sleeve dipoles were used as array elements. The array is capable of operation over a 1.66:1 band with a VSWR of < 2:1. Keywords include: Low Sidelobe Antenna; Open Sleeve Dipole; VHF Antenna Array.