ANTENNA CONSTRUCTION AND PROPAGATION OF RADIO WAVES MCI 2515H

ANTENNA CONSTRUCTION AND PROPAGATION OF RADIO WAVES MCI 2515H

Purpose. The MCI 2515H, Antenna Construction and Propagation of Radio Waves, provides
communicators with instructions in selecting and/or constructing the appropriate antenna(s) for
use within the current field.

Introduction The radio is the principal means of communication in today’s tactical Marine
Corps. It is essential for not only command and control of the battlefield but
also for passing routine administrative information. Understanding how radio
waves travel or propagate will enhance your ability to establish
communications between locations separated by great distances and
obstacles.

Contents. i
Student Information iii
Study Guide. v
Study Unit 1 Radio Communications 1-1
Lesson 1 Radio Sets and Waves 1-3
Lesson 2 Carrier Waves and Modulation. 1-13
Study Unit 2 Propagation of Radio Waves 2-1
Lesson 1 The Atmosphere. 2-3
Lesson 2 Ground Waves and Sky Waves. 2-15
Lesson 3 Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) and Lowest Usable
Frequencies (LUF) 2-23
Lesson 4 Fading. 2-29
Lesson 5 The Effects of Frequency on Wave Propagation 2-37
Study Unit 3 Antennas 3-1
Lesson 1 Functions of an Antenna and Antenna Radiation 3-3
Lesson 2 Antenna Polarization 3-11
Lesson 3 Conventional Antennas 3-21
Lesson 4 Field Expedient Antennas. 3-33
Lesson 5 Transmission Lines 3-47
Study Unit 4 Site Selection and Antenna Grounding 4-1
Lesson 1 Requirements for Site Selection. 4-3
Lesson 2 Electronic Warfare Considerations 4-11
Lesson 3 Grounds and Counterpoises. 4-17
Appendix A Field Expedient Antenna Construction A-1
Appendix B Joint Spectrum Center (JSC) B-1
Review Lesson. R-1