Written by Dr Beck
The principle of maximum RF current applies to my station’s antenna system. Maximum current in the counterpoise means, reciprocally, maximum current in the antenna.
Why is maximizing RF Current so important for generating RF Photons?
Planck’s constant = h = 6.6261 × 10−34 J⋅Hz−1
and then, hc = 1.9865 × 10−25 J-m
Where n = # of radio photons or elementary light particles emitted…
hc/(radio band) =hc/(20 meters) = hν = energy per photon = 9.932 x 10−27J = 9.932 x 10−27 W-s (energy per photon expressed as Watt-seconds)
n/s = (20 Watts of output power) / (9.932 x 10−27 W-s) = 2.01 x 1027 photons/second
That is , 2.01 x 1027 Photons/second at 20 meters are transmitted with 20 Watts of output power.
The elementary charge, usually denoted by e, is the electric charge carried by a single proton or, equivalently, the magnitude of the negative electric charge carried by a single electron.
1 Ampere = 1 Coloumb/second = 6.241509 × 1018 e/s
However, as an example, 6 Amperes at 13.8VDC is the maximum input that the radio can utilize. We utilize less, of course.
Each charge – each proton per second, or conversely, each electron per second is responsible for the transmission of millions of RF photons per second.
I know you might have thought it was one-to-one. One charge emits one photon per second. Not true! Far from it.
[~1019 e/s are responsible for ~1027 Photons/s]
That is why to insure the best, most efficient signal, maximize the RF current. Every charge counts.
I use an inexpensive artificial ground with microammeter from MFJ and an homebrew 1:9 unun. That is all that is necessary to maintain a minimal SWR for the auto-tuner/transmitter. I maximize the RF Current in counterpoise and thus the intensity of RF photons leaving my antenna system and hopefully generate an immense signal with only 10-20 Watts.
Just like our great grandfathers of Ham Radio did, before SWR was our god, or antenna systems we don’t understand, or hamstick resistors flopping from the back of our pick-ups. Before the advent of mobile 500W amps, there were RF ammeters. You cannot imagine how much energy we waste in radiative resistant antennas.
Think what you could do if we just didn’t buy the “big one”? Don’t get mad at me. I’m not telling you not to buy high-power gear, just use it right.
Un ami de France
Eham Review article de Michel, VE2SIG TNX Michel
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