Degradation of Communication on AWF Whip Antennas in an Icing Environment at Sea.

• Main Authors: Kilgour,R., Brown,W. K.
• Other Authors: ADMIRALTY SURFACE WEAPONS ESTABLISHMENT PORTSMOUTH (ENGLAND)
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1973
• Subjects: Electrical and Electronic Equipment; *SHIP ANTENNAS; SEA ICE; OMNIDIRECTIONAL ANTENNAS; ELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE; ATTENUATION; RADIOFREQUENCY POWER; COLD WEATHER TESTS; UNITED KINGDOM; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD0768411; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0768411

Atmospheric conditions conducive to icing at sea are outlined, and the probable nature of the resulting ice accretion is discussed. The effects of saline ice accretion on communication efficiency of whip antennas, typically used in current Fishery Protection vessels, are assessed from measurements made on a representative antenna in the BAC Climatic Chamber in a simulated moderately severe icing environment. Communication efficiency is shown to be badly degraded by virtue of power dissipation in ice bridging the base insulator, and by the creation of an appreciable mismatch between transmitter and antenna. Some palliative measures are discussed and recommendations made to alleviate the situation. (Author)