What is a disadvantage of the short, flexible antenna supplied with most handheld radio transceivers, compared to a full-sized quarter-wave antenna?
It has low efficiency
This answer is correct because the short, flexible antennas are less efficient due to their reduced electrical length, leading to poorer performance in signal transmission and reception.
It transmits only circularly polarized signals
This answer is incorrect, because the polarization of the signal is not affected by the length of the antenna; handheld transceivers can transmit in both linear (vertical or horizontal) and circular polarization, regardless of antenna size.
It is mechanically fragile
This answer is incorrect, as the short, flexible antennas are generally designed to be durable and can withstand physical stress better than longer, more rigid antennas.
All these choices are correct
This answer is incorrect, because not all the choices are correct; the primary issue with the short, flexible antenna is its low efficiency, not its mechanical fragility or polarization characteristics.
Explanation
The question addresses a fundamental aspect of amateur radio handheld transceivers, which are commonly used in the field for portable communication. The short, flexible antennas that are often supplied with these handheld radios, known as ‘rubber duck’ antennas, have certain trade-offs when compared to full-sized quarter-wave antennas. The primary disadvantage is their low efficiency. This occurs because these compact antennas are electrically shorter than the ideal quarter-wave length, leading to reduced performance in both transmitting and receiving signals. Efficiency in an antenna is critical as it impacts the range and clarity of communication, which is of paramount importance in various amateur radio applications including emergency communication and casual operation.
T9A04 2022-2026