Ham Radio General Class Practice Test

Which of the following is an advantage of a horizontally polarized HF antenna compared to a vertically polarized one?

1. Lower ground reflection losses

2. Lower feed-point impedance

3. Shorter radials

4. Lower radiation resistance

The correct answer is: Lower ground reflection losses

A horizontally polarized HF antenna offers an advantage of lower ground reflection losses compared to a vertically polarized antenna. This is primarily due to the way the polarization interacts with the ground and the environment. Horizontally polarized antennas tend to radiate more efficiently at high angles, which minimizes ground losses when the signal is reflected back towards the antenna. In contrast, vertically polarized antennas are often more susceptible to ground reflections that can cause increased losses and distortion in the received signals. This enhanced performance of horizontally polarized antennas makes them favorable for long-distance communication, particularly at HF frequencies. The other factors, such as feed-point impedance, length of radials, and radiation resistance, do not provide the same level of impact regarding ground reflection losses in this context. For instance, feed-point impedance can vary with design and isn't solely a function of polarization, while shorter radials are generally more associated with vertical antennas and their design considerations. Radiation resistance is also dependent on the specific antenna design and configuration, rather than just polarization type.