U.S. Marine Corps Antenna Mcrp 6 22D Operating Instructions

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							DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
Headquarters United States Marine Corps
Washington, D.C.  20380-1775
1 June 1999
FOREWORD
Communications and information systems (CIS) support collect-
ing, processing, and exchanging information. CIS automate
routine functions, freeing commanders and staffs to focus on the
aspects of command and control that require experience, judg-
ment, and intuition. Personnel who install, operate, and maintain
CIS play a key role in the command and control of the Marine air-
ground task force (MAGTF). It is an understatement to say that
the success of the MAGTF in the modern battlespace depends on
the effective employment of CIS.
One of the most important networks of the MAGTF CIS architec-
ture is single-channel radio (SCR). SCR is the principal means of
communications support for maneuver units. SCR communica-
tions equipment is easy to operate, and networks are easily
established, rapidly reconfigured, and, most importantly, easily
maintained on the move. SCR provides secure voice communica-
tion and supports limited data information exchange. MAGTF
SCR equipment is fielded in many configurations and includes
hand-held, manpack, vehicle-mounted, bench-mounted, and shel-
tered radios. These radios operate in simplex and half-duplex
modes. The most widely employed tactical radios provide inte-
grated communications security (COMSEC) and jam resistance
through frequency hopping. 
						

							Tactical SCRs operate in the three military radio frequency bands
(high frequency [HF], very high frequency [VHF], and ultrahigh
frequency [UHF]). In the HF band, SCR can support long-range
communications, albeit at the expense of mobility. SCR in the
VHF and UHF bands is normally limited to line of sight. SCR
satellite communications (SATCOM) provide mobility, flexibili-
ty, and ease of operation with unlimited range. Limitations of
SCR include susceptibility to enemy electronic warfare; cosite,
footprint, terrain, and atmospheric interference; the requirement
for close coordination and detailed planning; a need for common
timing, frequency, and equipment; and limited spectrum avail-
ability. The latter is particularly critical for SATCOM.
Of all the variables affecting single-channel radio communica-
tions, the one factor that an operator has the most control over is
the antenna. With the right antenna, an operator can change a
marginal net into a reliable net. Marine Corps Reference Publica-
tion (MCRP) 6-22D, Antenna Handbook, gives operators the
knowledge to properly select and employ antennas to provide the
strongest possible signal at the receiving station of the circuit.
MCRP 6-22D builds on the doctrinal foundation established in
Marine Corps Warfighting Publication (MCWP) 6-22, Communi-
cations and Information Systems. This handbook is intended not
only for CIS officers and radio operators, but for all personnel de-
siring information about antenna fundamentals.
MCRP 6-22D supersedes Fleet Marine Force Reference Publica-
tion (FMFRP) 3-34, Field Antenna Handbook, dated 5 March
1991. 
						

							Reviewed and approved this date.
BY DIRECTION OF THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS
J. E. RHODES
Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps
Commanding General
Marine Corps Combat Development Command
DISTRIBUTION:  144 000062 00  
						

							v Antenna Handbook
Table of Contents
Page
Chapter 1.  Radio Principles
Electromagnetic Radiation1-1
Radio Waves1-2
Frequency1-2
Frequency Calculation1-3
Frequency Bands1-3
Radio Communication Circuit1-5
Propagation Fundamentals1-8
Earth’s Atmosphere1-8
Radio Wave Propagation1-8
Other Factors Affecting Propagation1-18
Path Loss1-19
Reflected Waves1-19
Diffraction1-21
Tropospheric Refraction, Ducting and Scattering1-22
Noise1-23
Natural Noise1-24
Manmade Noise1-24 
						

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MCRP 6-22D
vi Chapter 2.  Antenna Fundamentals
Section I. Concepts and Terms2-2
Forming a Radio Wave2-2
Radiation2-2
Radiation Fields2-3
Radiation Patterns2-4
Polarization2-6
Polarization Requirements for Various Frequencies2-8
Advantages of Vertical Polarization2-9
Advantages of Horizontal Polarization2-10
Directionality2-10
Resonance2-11
Reception2-12
Reciprocity2-13
Impedance2-14
Bandwidth2-15
Gain2-16
Take-Off Angle2-18
Section II.  Ground Effects2-19
Grounded Antenna Theory2-19
Types of Grounds2-20
Counterpoise2-22
Ground Screen2-23
Section III.  Calculating Antenna Length2-24
Section IV.  Antenna Orientation2-26 
						

							Antenna Handbook _________________________________
vii Azimuth2-26
Improvement of Marginal Communications2-27
Transmission and Reception of Strong Signals2-29
Chapter 3.  Transmission Lines
Properties3-1
Transmission Line Types3-1
Minimizing Energy Loss3-3
Impedance3-3
Optimizing Line Length3-5
Attenuation3-6
Making the Best Use of Available Transmission Lines3-7
Twin-Lead Limitations3-8
Directly Connecting the Transceiver and Antenna3-9
Baluns3-10
Cable Connectors3-11
Balanced Antenna3-11
Chapter 4.  HF Antenna Selection
Antenna Selection Procedure4-2
Determining Antenna Gain4-6
Antenna Types4-8
AS-2259/GR4-9
Vertical Whip4-10
Half-Wave Dipole4-14
Inverted Vee4-19 
						

							_________________________________________ 
MCRP 6-22D
viii Long Wire4-21
Inverted L4-24
Sloping Vee4-28
Sloping Wire4-33
Vertical Half-Rhombic4-37
HF NVIS Communications4-40
Chapter 5.  VHF and UHF Antenna Selection
Frequencies5-1
Polarization5-2
Gain and Directivity5-2
Gain5-3
Directivity5-3
Transmission Lines5-4
Radiators5-5
Vertical Radiator5-5
Cross Section Radiator5-5
Insulation5-5
Interference5-6
Noise5-6
Multipath Interference5-6
Vegetated Areas5-8
Antenna Types5-9
Vertical Whip5-9
OE-2545-10
Antenna Within Vehicle Interior5-12
HF Antenna Types Usable at VHF and UHF5-12
Dual-Function Antennas5-12 
						

							Antenna Handbook _________________________________
ix Chapter 6.  Field Repair and Expedients
Repair Techniques6-1
Whip Antennas6-1
Wire Antennas6-2
Guys6-4
Masts6-4
Tips on Construction and Adjustment6-4
Constructing the Antenna6-4
Adjusting the Antenna6-6
Field Expedient Antennas6-7
VHF Considerations6-7
HF Considerations6-7
End-Fed Half-Wave Antenna6-8
Center-Fed Doublet Antenna6-9
Field Expedient Directional Antennas6-14
Vertical Half-Rhombic and Long-Wire Antennas6-14
Yagi Antenna6-14
Vee Antenna6-16
Sloping Vee Antenna6-16
Chapter 7.  Satellite Communications Antennas
Siting SATCOM Antennas7-4
Considerations7-4
Determining Horizon Angles7-4