{"product_id":"ham-radio-signal-behavior-kc2tav-9798247656951","title":"Ham Radio Signal Behavior: Understanding Propagation, Radiation Angle, and Antenna Performance","description":"\u003cp\u003eMost amateur radio stations fail \u003cb\u003ebefore the signal ever leaves the antenna\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou can have good SWR.\u003cbr\u003eYou can run more power.\u003cbr\u003eYou can follow popular antenna designs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnd still be weak, inconsistent, or unreadable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIf you're tired of guessing, this book was written for you.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you have ever wondered \u003ci\u003ewhy an antenna that should work doesn't\u003c\/i\u003e, this book explains the exact reasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHam Radio Signal Behavior\u003c\/b\u003e shows what radio waves actually do once they leave the wire-and why small changes in height, geometry, or ground interaction can completely transform performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is not an exam-prep manual.\u003cbr\u003eThis is not a collection of antenna recipes.\u003cbr\u003eIt is a practical guide to understanding \u003cb\u003ewhy antennas succeed or fail\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen you understand behavior, you stop guessing.\u003cbr\u003eWhen you stop guessing, results become predictable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat This Book Will Do For You\u003cp\u003e- Explain why low SWR does \u003cb\u003enot\u003c\/b\u003e mean good radiation\u003cbr\u003e- Show how radiation angle controls communication distance\u003cbr\u003e- Reveal why antenna height often matters more than power\u003cbr\u003e- Explain how ground interaction creates or destroys efficiency\u003cbr\u003e- Clarify when verticals outperform horizontals-and when they don't\u003cbr\u003e- Show why end-fed and \"compromise\" antennas behave unpredictably\u003cbr\u003e- Identify what changes actually improve real-world performance\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou will learn how to diagnose antenna problems using \u003cb\u003ecause and effect\u003c\/b\u003e, not folklore.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWho This Book Is For\u003cp\u003e- Newly licensed operators building strong fundamentals\u003cbr\u003e- Experienced operators frustrated with inconsistent results\u003cbr\u003e- Antenna builders and experimenters\u003cbr\u003e- Operators who want predictable performance\u003cbr\u003e- Hams who value physics over myths\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you are tired of trying random changes and hoping for improvement, this book was written for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHow This Book Is Different\u003cp\u003eMost amateur radio books focus on construction details.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book focuses on \u003cb\u003ebehavior\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou will learn: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- How energy couples into the ground\u003cbr\u003e- How radiation patterns form\u003cbr\u003e- How propagation modes interact with antennas\u003cbr\u003e- How installation geometry reshapes performance\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOnce these relationships are understood, antenna selection becomes deliberate instead of experimental.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInside You'll Discover\u003cp\u003e- HF vs VHF propagation behavior\u003cbr\u003e- Ground-wave, line-of-sight, and sky-wave explained clearly\u003cbr\u003e- Electrical length and resonance demystified\u003cbr\u003e- Standing waves and reflected power in context\u003cbr\u003e- Radiation patterns and gain explained realistically\u003cbr\u003e- Vertical antennas and ground systems\u003cbr\u003e- Dipoles, horizontal wires, end-fed, and long-wire behavior\u003cbr\u003e- Matching the antenna to the job\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlus practical reference tables, formulas, and a technical glossary.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbout the Author\u003cp\u003eJohn Pertell, KC2TAV, has been a licensed amateur radio operator since 2008. Based in upstate New York, he focuses on understanding how radio systems behave in real-world conditions and explaining those principles clearly. His writing emphasizes cause and effect, helping operators build antennas and stations that perform predictably rather than by trial and error.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlso by John Pertell KC2TAV\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHam Radio Jargon and Q Codes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA practical reference for understanding common operating terminology and Q-signals used on the air.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you want antennas that work because you understand \u003cb\u003ewhy\u003c\/b\u003e they work, \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHam Radio Signal Behavior\u003c\/b\u003e belongs on your bench.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Kc2tav,John Pertell\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798247656951\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 02\/10\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 122\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.28lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.00h x 5.00w x 0.26d","brand":"Kc2tav","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48447316427007,"sku":"9798247656951","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_a5523793-ca9f-4aa1-899b-fd6c0d3d30fe.jpg?v=1777230299","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/ham-radio-signal-behavior-kc2tav-9798247656951","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}