What is Whip Antenna?
A whip antenna is a type of monopole radio antenna that is widely used in devices such as mobile phones and hand-held radios. One antenna is replaced in the case of Whip Antennas instead of 2 antennae working simultaneously. The length of the whip antenna determines the potential wavelength.
You can make the whip short with the help of a loading coil along the antenna’s length. It will increase inductance without increasing the whip’s size. Normally, a whip antenna is mounted vertically on the base vehicle giving a vertical polarization. Some of the most common types of whips are half-wave and quarter-wave whips.
This blog explains what is whip antennas? their radiation pattern, and the length of the whip antenna, the types of whip antennas, and their benefits.
Radiation Pattern of a Whip Antenna
Whip antenna is a type of monopole antenna and contains an omnidirectional radiation pattern radiating equal power in all directions. It has a small or no ground plane under it. You have to tilt the main lob up to stop the maximum power to get radiated in horizontal sides but go to the angle of the sky.
Whip Antennas that are longer than a half-wavelength include patterns containing numerous conical lobes with maximum radiation at elevation angles. Antenna with longer electrical lengths has patterns with more lobes. Vertical whip radiates vertically polarized radio waves with horizontal magnetic field and vertical electric field.
A vertical whip antenna is normally used for nondirectional radio communication on the Earth's surface where the direction to the receiver or transmitter is not known or changes constantly. These antennas are generally used in 2-way radios, FM radio receivers, and walkie-talkies. Moreover, the vertical whip antennas radiate radio energy in horizontal directions.
Length of Whip Antenna
Whip antennas are generally developed as resonant antennas. The rod in these antennas acts like a resonator for radio waves with standing waves of voltage and current reflected forth and back from the ends. The length of a whip antenna rod is determined by the wavelength of the radio waves used.
Features of Whip Antennas
Whip antennas are of various types such as Military Whip Antennas, HF Whip Antennas, VHF Whip Antennas, and UHF Whip Antennas. Some common features of whip antennas are:
- It is simple to install any type of whip antenna on the base of the vehicle.
- Maintenance of the Magnetic whip antenna is very easy and hassle-free.
- These antennas have little or no ground plane for easy use.
- Whip antennas can be mounted on radio masts, roofs of the home, and balconies.
- The whip antenna is generally used as a base station antenna for police and radio, ambulance, taxi and fire, and other vehicle dispatchers.
- It can be easily stored in any corner of the home.
Conclusion
Whip antennas are highly used in wireless communication. They are very convenient to use and store in any part of the home. To get the Best Whip Antenna, you can get the quote from the various manufacturers of antennas.
