[BC] Orienting a Directional FM antenna

[Jim Stanley]

Alan Wrote:

"The fun part of course at least for me was explaining to the surveyor how
to determine what is the front of the antenna".

Spending some time with the surveyor in advance of the installation seems to
help with this.  I show them the polar chart of the directional pattern
along with the predicted coverage map all the time discussing the radial
relative to True North the antenna is to be aligned on.  Also the
manufacturers installation drawings will help enlighten them.  Surveyors
usually are not electrical engineers but most can easily grasp the concept
of what you are trying to accomplish.  All the Commission wants is to make
certain the antenna is installed as presented in the application (301fm)
requesting a construction permit and the subsequent authorization (CP) to
construct the facility.  If the antenna is installed as authorized by the
Commission then interference to other co-channel and adjacent channel
facilities usually will not occur. 

Jim Stanley
Stanley Broadcast Engineering
jim at stanleybroadcast.com