Unit 5 — Verification and Field Testing

TM-ANT-069 — Open Handout TM Chapter: Chapter 7 ELOs: Perform verification measurements per Chapter 7; confirm acceptance criteria; complete log Estimated time: 30 minutes (actual lab work required)

Step 1: Read the TM

Open TM-ANT-069. Read Chapter 7 — Verification completely.

Then come back here.

Chapter 7 Content

7-1. ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

Parameter Requirement Pass/Fail
SWR at resonance < 2.0:1 per band ____
Resonant frequency Within ±1% of design ____
Feed impedance (R) As designed (±15%) ____
Feed reactance (X) <±10 Ω at resonance ____
Gain (NEC2 model) 2.1 dBi per band ____
Efficiency 75–90% per band (trap loss) ____
  1. Confirm SWR <2.0:1 per band at center frequency.
  2. Verify resonance frequency within ±1% of design center.
  3. Confirm impedance real part within 15% of design value.
  4. Record results in station log with date, antenna height, and feed line length.

Verification vs. Tuning — Distinction

Tuning (Chapter 6) was active: you were permitted to adjust until the criterion was met.

Verification (Chapter 7) is passive confirmation: no adjustments are permitted. You are measuring the finished, tuned antenna and confirming it meets specification. If verification fails, return to Chapter 6 for re-tuning, then repeat the full Chapter 7 verification.

Acceptance Criterion

Criterion: SWR <2.0:1 per band at center frequency

Write the exact criterion from Chapter 7 here before starting:

Verification Checklist

  • [ ] Antenna tuned and stable (no adjustments since completing Chapter 6)
  • [ ] NanoVNA or SWR bridge connected at the feedpoint
  • [ ] SWR measured at design frequency — result recorded below
  • [ ] Resonant frequency (minimum SWR point) recorded
  • [ ] All criteria from Chapter 7 checked
  • [ ] Pass/fail determined
  • [ ] Verification log entry completed

Verification Log Entry

  • [ ] Date and time
  • [ ] Antenna type and construction date
  • [ ] Operating frequency
  • [ ] Height and orientation
  • [ ] Measured SWR and resonant frequency
  • [ ] Pass/fail determination
  • [ ] Operator name

Record your results:

Check Measured Value Acceptance Criterion Pass/Fail
SWR at design frequency
Resonant frequency
(additional checks from Ch. 7)

Self-Check Questions

SC5-1. What is the SWR acceptance criterion from Chapter 7? State it exactly.

SC5-2. Verification shows SWR = 2.4:1 at the design frequency. What is the correct action?

SC5-3. List the required items in a verification log entry per Chapter 7.

SC5-4. What is the difference between the Chapter 6 tuning procedure and the Chapter 7 verification?

SC5-5. After passing Chapter 7 verification, what can you conclude about the antenna?

Answer Key

SC5-1. See Chapter 7. The criterion is stated with a specific SWR value and conditions (frequency, height, orientation).

SC5-2. Verification failed. Do not make adjustments during verification. Return to Chapter 6, re-tune, then repeat the complete Chapter 7 verification.

SC5-3. See Chapter 7, final steps. Items typically include: date, antenna type, frequency, height/orientation, SWR measurement, pass/fail, operator name.

SC5-4. Tuning (Ch. 6) permits active adjustments. Verification (Ch. 7) permits none — it is independent confirmation of the tuned state.

SC5-5. The antenna meets the specified performance criteria at this time, in this location, at this height and orientation. It does not guarantee performance at a different site, height, or orientation without re-verification.

Checkpoint

You are ready for the final assessment when you can: - [ ] State the acceptance criterion from memory - [ ] State the correct response to a failed verification check - [ ] State the required log items from memory

→ Proceed to Final Assessment