Automated Measurement of Relative HF Antenna Properties using WSPR

Abstract: The performance of antennas is an important factor in creating a well performing radio communication channel. Traditionally measuring High Frequency (HF) antennas is an expensive and complicated process. J. Zander[1] proposes an alternative method of evaluating antenna performances in the HF band. It was not known if it was possible to develop an effective software supporting practical antenna comparisons according to J. Zander’s method. This thesis purpose was to find out if it was possible to develop such software. A web application was developed using modern web technologies. The resulting software did present relative antenna properties such as antenna gain pattern and antenna efficiency enabling the user to analyze the comparison data. We concluded that it was possible to develop an effective software but there were a couple of pitfalls. The gain pattern was not complete and had uncertain data points in certain directions, it was concluded that this issue were related to the comparison method and not our implementation. Overall, we found it possible to develop an effective application supporting practical antenna comparisons according to J. Zander’s antenna comparison method.