Television and FM Broadcasting Antennas
Oded Bendov · Encyclopedia of RF and Microwave Engineering · 2005
Abstract Antennas for television and FM broadcasting are usually installed on tall towers to maximize the service area. A high‐power transmitter feeds the broadcast antenna to provide “passable” picture and sound at distances approaching 70 m. In the UHF range (TV channels 14 to 69), the transmitter's peak power could be as high as 280kW. In the VHF range (TV channels 2 to 13 and FM), a transmitter's peak power of 70kW is not unusual. In addition to high power‐handling capability, broadcast antennas must continue to perform under severe weather conditions, such as ice storms and hurricane winds. Antennas, especially for television broadcasting, must be designed to accept and radiate all of the power delivered by the transmitter. Antennas for digital television must be designed to meet more stringent specifications than those for antennas for analog television.