A PACKAGED ANTENNA FOR SHORT-HOP MICROWAVE RADIO SYSTEMS

This paper describes a packaged antenna specially designed for mounting on a slender tapered aluminum mast and gives typical measured electrical characteristics. The antenna is used in a 1.5‐mile experimental repeater installation operating at 11 GHz. The masts and foundations for the experimental system are described briefly. The antenna package is an upright cylinder, a shape chosen to minimize mast twisting caused by wind, and to present a pleasing appearance in combination with a slender mast. The radiating elements consist of a waveguide aperture feed, a 30‐inch parabolic reflector mounted with its axis vertical at the top of the package, and a 45‐degree flat reflecting plate similar to an inverted periscope. The space below the 45‐degree reflector houses all the repeater electronics. Because of the shielding effect of the cylindrical housing, this antenna like the hom‐reflector antenna, has very low radiation in the far side and back lobe regions. © 1969 The Bell System Technical Journal