ANTENTOP- 02- 2004, # 006 Multirange Trap Antennas

Multirange trap antenna: history and Igor Grigorov, Rk3ZK

fundamentals [email protected]
Recently multirange trap antennas are widespread 15 meters: By length of the Section B we tune the
among radioamateurs. As matter of fact, the type of antenna parts “Section 1 plus L1C1 plus Section B” to
antennas was invented in the USA by H. K. Morgan, resonance to 15-meters. Trap L2C2 turn off upper
US patent # 2229856, 1938 (by reference [1]). antenna parts behind the trap from operation of the
Probably the first article about a trap antenna was antenna when 15 meters range is used.
published in reference [2] at 1940. So, what is the
antenna and how is it work? Let’s see it on the 20 meters: By length of the Section C we tune the
example of a ham vertical trap antenna in order to antenna parts “Section 1 plus L1C1 plus Section B
simplify a problem. Figure 1 shows us a schematic plus Section C” to resonance to 20-meters.
of such antenna.
And so on for other ranges: In the similar way the
antenna would be tuned for others ham HF- ranges.
You see, it is possible to do an antenna for any
number of HF- ranges! But there are several lacks.
Upper parts of the antenna behind a proper trap do
not use (or, practically do not use) for radiation.
Another lack is that the antenna wire is broken at
several places by trap circuits. Every trap circuits
should be tune in to own resonance frequency. Trap
circuits must have high temperature stability, because
the antenna is used at the open air. Traps work at a
resonance mode so a high level of RF voltage is
across trap capacitors at transmission mode. Thereof
it needs to use a high quality capacitor for every of the
traps.

Vertical trap antenna WA1LNQ: One of the most

popular sample vertical trap antenna is the antenna
WA1LNQ [2]. The antenna is used on 10 and 15
meters. Figure 2 shows the scheme for the antenna.

The antenna made from two insulated from each other

metal tubes by length of 240,7 (section A) and 62,9
(section B) centimeters and in OD 18 to 25
millimeters. The length of an insulating insertion is 5,8
centimeters. Over the insulating part is spooled the
trap spool. A copper tube in diameter of 3 to 5 mm is
used for the spool, and the spool contains 2 turns with
step 1 turn on 25-mm of winding. Average diameter of
the trap spool is 55-mm. As a trap capacitor is used a
length of a 50-Ohm coaxial cable with an initial length
equal to 80 centimeters.

Tuning of the Antenna WA1LNQ: At first, tune the

antenna in 10-m range. At the tuning the length of the
coaxial cable, that makes the trap capacitor, is
gradually shortened to minimum SWR in 10 meters.
After this, tune the antenna to minimum SWR at 15
meters. It is possible to do by a small changing of the
Figure 1 A ham vertical trap antenna length of the upper section B.
10 meters: Section A is tuned for operation on 10- Below you can see input impedance, SWR and DD
meters by its length. Trap L1C1 turn off upper antenna of the antenna W1LNQ. The figures are obtained
parts behind the trap from operation of the antenna with the help of Free Antenna Simulation Program
when 10 meters range is used.

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ANTENTOP- 02- 2004, # 006 Multirange Trap Antennas

Current Distribution at 10 meters

Figure 2 Antenna WA1LNQ

Current Distribution at 15 meters

Diagram Directivity and Input Impedance at 10 meters W1LNQ Antenna

MMANA (MININEC based). Section A has diameter Antenna input impedance. Vertical Trap antenna:
of 24 millimeters, section B has diameter of 18 You can see that only first antenna part, it is section A
millimeters. at Figure 1, has length in λ/4. So, the input

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ANTENTOP- 02- 2004, # 006 Multirange Trap Antennas

SWR at 10 meters W1LNQ Antenna

Diagram Directivity and Input Impedance at 15 meters W1LNQ Antenna

impedance of the antenna at 10 meters is close to 40- ground. So, a 50-Ohms coaxial cable can be used for
Ohms, and50-Ohms coaxial cable can be used for feeding of the antenna at all of the ranges. For a
feeding of the antenna at the range. However, physical proper work a vertical trap antenna must have several
length of antenna consisting of another following counterpoises for every of operation ranges, especially
section plus the previously section (or sections) is less for low amateur HF ranges 40-, 80- and 160-m.
then λ/4. Inductors of the traps work as a lengthening
spools for the proper section. Input impedance of the Antenna input impedance. Dipole Trap
antenna working at lower then 10 meters range is less antenna: Morgan trap antenna [1] was done as a
then 30 Ohms in the theory, but in practice, the input dipole. It is known, that a λ/2 (physical length) dipole
impedance for 15 and 20 meters range is close to 40 antenna has input impedance close to 75 Ohms, see
Ohms because losses in antenna parts and antenna Figure 3A. A shortened by a lengthening spool dipole

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ANTENTOP- 02- 2004, # 006 Multirange Trap Antennas

SWR at 15 meters W1LNQ Antenna

antenna with electrical length in λ/2 (having physical number of traps more than one. The reason is that the
length bit less then λ/2) has input impedance less antenna sections should be electrically insulated from
them 75 Ohms and maybe, close to 60- 50-Ohms, see each other. It is hard enough to do a mechanical
Figure 3B. So, for feeding a dipole trap antenna a 50- strength design of such antenna in radio amateur
Ohms coaxial cable can be used with a high conditions. Radio amateurs usually prefer a W3DZZ
efficiency. antenna. The antenna has only one trap, and, as it
seems by many hams, works at several amateur
A dipole trap antenna is very easy for tuning and has ranges. What is a W3DZZ?
high efficiency, however, radio amateurs very seldom
make as a vertical as dipole trap antenna having a

Figure 3 A shortening and full size dipole antenna

Antenna W3DZZ: In1955 C. L. Buchanan. W3DZZ, Antenna W3DZZ works in several amateurs range
developed a multirange dipole antenna with only one with low SWR in its feeder. Proper choosing data of
trap, see reference [4]. Recently the antenna is known the trap turns the trap or to lengthening inductor at low
as “antenna W3DZZ.” Figure 4 shows schematic of range (ranges) or to shortening capacitor at high
the antenna W3DZZ. range (ranges), or to only a trap at a proper range. For
the antenna shown at Figure 4, trap LC is the trap for
40
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ANTENTOP- 02- 2004, # 006 Multirange Trap Antennas

Figure 4 Antenna W3DZZ

meters, lengthening inductor for 80 meters, and (MININEC based) for the W3DZZ (see Figure 4).
shortening capacitor for 20, 15 and 10 meters. The Antenna wire has diameter of 2 millimeters. You can
antenna (Figure 4) does not work at WARC bands. see, that a SWR at 20, 15 and 10 meters is too high. It
However, the antenna does not work properly at 20, is impossible to find such length of the antenna and
15 and 10 meters. You can see data obtained with data for trap that the antenna works at all of the
Free Antenna Simulation Program MMANA ranges! So, an ATU and a good coax is need for the
antenna if you work at 20, 15 and 10 meters.
SWR at 80 meters W3DZZ Antenna

Current Distribution at 80 meters W3DZZ Antenna

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ANTENTOP- 02- 2004, # 006 Multirange Trap Antennas

Input Impedance at 80 meters W3DZZ Antenna

SWR at 40 meters W3DZZ Antenna

Current Distribution at 40 meters W3DZZ Antenna

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ANTENTOP- 02- 2004, # 006 Multirange Trap Antennas

Input Impedance at 40 meters W3DZZ Antenna

SWR at 20 meters W3DZZ Antenna

Current Distribution at 20 meters W3DZZ Antenna

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ANTENTOP- 02- 2004, # 006 Multirange Trap Antennas

Input Impedance at 20 meters W3DZZ Antenna

SWR at 15 meters W3DZZ Antenna

Current Distribution at 15 meters W3DZZ Antenna

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ANTENTOP- 02- 2004, # 006 Multirange Trap Antennas

Input Impedance at 15 meters W3DZZ Antenna

SWR at 15 meters W3DZZ Antenna

Current Distribution at 10 meters W3DZZ Antenna

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ANTENTOP- 02- 2004, # 006 Multirange Trap Antennas

Input Impedance at 10 meters W3DZZ Antenna

Antenna W3DZZ has input impedance close to 60 Hams often use a shortened sample of the W3DZZ
Ohms at 80 and 75 at 40, , so, a 75-Ohms coaxial antenna intended for 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters. At
cable can be used for feeding of the antenna. radio amateurs literature there are several description
of the antenna, as at dipole as at vertical installation.
Hams make antenna W3DZZ also in a vertical However, the first description, which I found off for a
installation, where the antenna has input impedance vertical four band trap antenna, was made by K2GU in
close to 30- 40 Ohms (in twice less the dipole design), reference [5]. Figure 5 shows the schematic of the
so a 50-Ohms coaxial cable can be used for feeding antenna.
of the antenna at all of the ranges. For a proper work
a vertical trap antenna must have several
counterpoises for every of operation ranges,
especially for low amateur HF ranges 40-, 80- and
160-m.

LC trap design: Trap spool has 8.3-µH and contains

19 turns of silvered copper wire of diameter in 3-mm.
Diameter of winding is 50-mm. Length of winding is 80-
mm. The trap should be tuned to resonance to the
frequency 7,05 (7.2 for USA) MHz. It is possible use a
GDO for the tuning. A capacitor at 3-pF is bridged to
trap capacitor when the trap is tuning to the
resonance. The capacitor is simulated a stray
capacitance of the antenna sections.

Antenna tuning: At first, with the help of a GDO tune

trap to 7,05 (7.2 for USA) MHz. Trap is tuned
separately from antenna. At second, get a minimum
SWR on 40 meters by length A. At third, get a
minimum

SWR on 80 meters by length B. At thus, you can get

SWR (well, see in the above figures, the SWR is not so
at 20, 15 and 10 meters.

Four band vertical one-trap antenna: Figure 5 A four-band trap vertical antenna

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ANTENTOP- 02- 2004, # 006 Multirange Trap Antennas

20 meters: Section A is tuned for operation on 20- Below you can see input impedance, SWR and DD
meters by its length. Trap LC turn off upper antenna of the antenna W1LNQ. The figures are obtained
parts behind the trap from operation of the antenna with the help of Free Antenna Simulation Program
when 10 meters range is used. MMANA (MININEC based). Section A has diameter of
20 millimeters, section B has diameter of 10
40 meters: By length of the Section B we tune the millimeters. You can see, that a SWR at 15 meters is
antenna parts “Section 1 plus LC plus Section B” to too high. It is impossible to find such length of the
resonance to 40-meters. antenna and data for trap that the antenna works at all
of the ranges. So, an ATU and a good coax is need for
15 and 10 meters: The trap serves as a shortening the antenna if you work at 15 meters. A 50-Ohm
capacitor at that ranges. coaxial cable can be used for feeding of the antenna at
all of the ranges.
Diagram Directivity and Input Impedance at 40 meters FOR 4B- W3DZZ Antenna

SWR at 40 meters FOR 4B- W3DZZ Antenna

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ANTENTOP- 02- 2004, # 006 Multirange Trap Antennas

Diagram Directivity and Input Impedance at 20 meters for 4B- W3DZZ Antenna

SWR at 20 meters FOR 4B- W3DZZ Antenna

Current Distribution at 40 meters Current Distribution at 20 meters

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ANTENTOP- 02- 2004, # 006 Multirange Trap Antennas

Diagram Directivity and Input Impedance at 15 meters for 4B- W3DZZ Antenna

SWR at 15 meters FOR 4B- W3DZZ Antenna

Current Distribution at 15 meters Current Distribution at 10 meters

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ANTENTOP- 02- 2004, # 006 Multirange Trap Antennas

Diagram Directivity and Input Impedance at 10 meters for 4B- W3DZZ Antenna

SWR at 10 meters FOR 4B- W3DZZ Antenna

Trap design: Trap spool contains 10 turns of copper Antenna tuning: At first, with the help of a GDO tune
wire diameter in diameter of 2-mm, form of the spool trap to 14.2-MHz. The circuit tune separately from
has diameter of 60-mm, distance between turn is 4 antenna. At second, tune length A to a minimum SWR
mm. The LC circuit should be tuned to frequency of in 20 meters. At third tune length of the Section B to
14.2-MHz. It is possible use a GDO for the tuning. A minimum SWR at 40 meters.
capacitor at 3-pF is bridged to trap capacitor when the
trap is tuning to the resonance. The capacitor is Common notice for vertical multi range trap
simulated a stray capacitance of the antenna sections. antennas
It is necessary to safe trap capacitor from the
atmospheric effect. Counterpoises: For a proper work a vertical trap

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ANTENTOP- 02- 2004, # 006 Multirange Trap Antennas

Figure 6 A coaxial cable capacitor

antenna need resonance (a quarter wave) counterpoises for each operation range.
Use not less than two counterpoises. If the antenna is placed at a small altitude
above a metal roof and braiding of feeding coaxial cable have good electrical contact
with the metal roof, the antenna can be used without any counterpoises.

Antenna feeding: Quite possible to use a 50- Ohm coaxial cable for vertical trap
antenna feeding. Also it is possible to use a two wire line for dipole and vertical trap
antenna feeding. In this case it need ATU between the line and the transceiver.

A trap capacitor: A high voltage is at a trap capacitor when the antenna works to
transmission. So it need a high voltage capacitor trap to be used at a trap. Such
capacitor is costly and rather rare. Hams often use a length of a coaxial cable
instead of a high-voltage capacitor. A 50- 0hm coax has near 100-pF/meter, a 75-
0hm coax has near 70-pF/meter. Coaxial cable capacity can be find off from a data
sheet for the coaxial cable or is metered practically. Figure 6 shows a coaxial cable
capacitor. For a capacitor with a small capacity (up to 30-pF) it is possible to use
whole coaxial cable length, see Figure 6A. For a capacitor with a high capacity cut
the coaxial cable on to several lengths, as it shown in Figure 6B.As a high-voltage
capacitor in trap it is possible to use a bilateral PC-board by width of 1 to 3
millimeters. In this case capacitor get more bulky the made on coaxial cable basis. It
is possible to tune the PC – capacitor on necessary capacity by slitting a foil on one
of two sides of this capacitor. Do not forget about atmospheric protection of the trap
capacitor.

Other way for trap design: It seems to me in the end of 70s in different radio
amateur literature were appeared articles about using “coaxial cable trap” for
W3DZZ. There is very simple method for trap making. Figure 7 shows the trap. It is
wise way for trap design, but radio amateur should have an experience using the
method. In different radio amateur literature there are a lot of data for design of the
trap, but classical methods are described at reference [6].

References:

1. By Alois Krischke : Rothammels Antennenbuch.- Franckh – Kosmos, V

GmbH@Co., Stuttgart, 1995, 11 edition. Figure 7 A coaxial
2. Jay Rusgrove, WA1LNQ: The Cheapie GP // QST, 1976, February, p31. cable trap
3. Morgan h. K. : Multifrequency Tuned Antenna System. - Electronics, vol. 13,
August 1940, pp. 42-50.
4. Buchman C. L., W3DZZ : The multimatch Antenna System. // QST, March 1955,
pp.22-23, 130.
5. The Radio Amateur’s Handbook, 1970, by ARRL publication.
6. The ARRRL Antenna Book, 19 Editions // ARRL Amateur Radio, 2000.

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