utterly unrelated (but fun) anecdote: Had a "phased array" CB antenna setup consisting of 3 antenna elements, carefully placed and spaced on a mobile ground plane, and very carefully cut and coiled lengths of Big Chonky cable too hook them all up to the radio. It worked well; did Chicago to Colorado once on legal 4watt power.
But then someone gave us a "1000w linear amplifier" to try. This turned out to be a bad idea. the third antenna element glowed red a few seconds after key up and then the harness joints de-soldered. Best we could figure the SWR changes induced by the antenna whips moving around weren't big enough, at 4w input power, to even notice. but when stood up to larger potential the tiny misalignment caused by the tips of the whips waving were enough to result in significant direct power loss.
utterly unrelated (but fun) anecdote: Had a "phased array" CB antenna setup consisting of 3 antenna elements, carefully placed and spaced on a mobile ground plane, and very carefully cut and coiled lengths of Big Chonky cable too hook them all up to the radio. It worked well; did Chicago to Colorado once on legal 4watt power.
But then someone gave us a "1000w linear amplifier" to try. This turned out to be a bad idea. the third antenna element glowed red a few seconds after key up and then the harness joints de-soldered. Best we could figure the SWR changes induced by the antenna whips moving around weren't big enough, at 4w input power, to even notice. but when stood up to larger potential the tiny misalignment caused by the tips of the whips waving were enough to result in significant direct power loss.