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An antenna tuning hut or helix house is a small shed at the base of a
The radio frequency current from the transmitter is supplied to the antenna through a cable called the
An antenna tuning hut or helix house is a small shed at the base of a longwave
In radio, longwave, long wave or long-wave, and commonly abbreviated LW, refers to parts of the radio spectrum with wavelengths longer than what was originally called the medium-wave broadcasting band. The term is historic, dating from the e ...
or mediumwave
Medium wave (MW) is the part of the medium frequency (MF) radio band used mainly for AM radio broadcasting. The spectrum provides about 120 channels with more limited sound quality than FM stations on the FM broadcast band. During the dayti ...
radio transmitting antenna. It contains antenna tuner
An antenna tuner (and any of the names in the list below) is a device that is inserted between a transmitter, radio transmitter and its antenna (radio), antenna; when placed close by the antenna and properly adjusted (tuned) it optimizes power ...
– radio equipment for coupling the power from the feedline
In a radio antenna (radio), antenna, the feed line (feedline), or feeder, is the cable or other transmission line that connects the antenna with the radio transmitter or Radio receiver, receiver. In a transmitting antenna, it feeds the radio ...
to the antenna. Alternative names include ''antenna tuning house'', ''coupling hut'', and ''dog house''.
Equipment
The radio frequency current from the transmitter is supplied to the antenna through a cable called the feedline
In a radio antenna (radio), antenna, the feed line (feedline), or feeder, is the cable or other transmission line that connects the antenna with the radio transmitter or Radio receiver, receiver. In a transmitting antenna, it feeds the radio ...
. The antenna tuning hut contains a matching network
In electronics, impedance matching is the practice of designing or adjusting the input impedance or output impedance of an electrical device for a desired value. Often, the desired value is selected to maximize power transfer or minimize sign ...
made of high wattage capacitor
A capacitor is a device that stores electrical energy in an electric field by virtue of accumulating electric charges on two close surfaces insulated from each other. It is a passive electronic component with two terminals.
The effect of ...
s and inductor
An inductor, also called a coil, choke, or reactor, is a passive two-terminal electrical component that stores energy in a magnetic field when electric current flows through it. An inductor typically consists of an insulated wire wound into a c ...
s (coils) that in combination match the antenna's impedance to the feedline, to efficiently transfer power into the antenna. The inductor
An inductor, also called a coil, choke, or reactor, is a passive two-terminal electrical component that stores energy in a magnetic field when electric current flows through it. An inductor typically consists of an insulated wire wound into a c ...
s, made of large helix
A helix () is a shape like a corkscrew or spiral staircase. It is a type of smooth space curve with tangent lines at a constant angle to a fixed axis. Helices are important in biology, as the DNA molecule is formed as two intertwined helic ...
es of wire, give the name ''helix house''.
The powerful radio waves near the antenna can be a hazard for workers, so the interior of the antenna tuning hut is typically shielded with copper or aluminum sheeting or wire mesh, in order to reduce radiation from the tower. In operation the components can have a voltage of several hundred thousand volts.
The building may also contain lightning protection devices and power transformers for aircraft warning light
Aviation obstruction lighting is used to enhance the visibility of structures or fixed obstacles which may conflict with the safe navigation of aircraft. Obstruction lighting is commonly installed on towers, buildings, and even fences located i ...
s on the tower. The radio transmitter
In electronics and telecommunications, a radio transmitter or just transmitter is an electronic device which produces radio waves with an antenna. The transmitter itself generates a radio frequency alternating current, which is applied to the ...
which generates the radio frequency current which powers the antenna is generally located away from the antenna, to prevent the powerful radio waves from interfering with the sensitive transmitter circuits.
See also
*Antenna tuning unit
An antenna tuner (and any of the names in the list below) is a device that is inserted between a radio transmitter and its antenna; when placed close by the antenna and properly adjusted (tuned) it optimizes power transfer by matching the imp ...
* Radio frequency power transmission
References
Radio technology {{radio-comm-stub