Axial-Mode Helical Antennas Part 1: Helix Basics (opens in new tab)

The axial-mode helical antenna has become a popular choice for radio amateurs engaging in satellite communications. We may construct helical antennas using straightforward methods with easily available materials. However, the individual builder faces a number of questions about helix size for a given frequency. Past literature has focused mainly on the gain that the axial-mode helix can attain for a given size. We should also examine other facets of the helix, such as the sensitivity to feedp...