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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/hame-antenna-q-bandwidth

What happens as the Q of an antenna increases?

SWR bandwidth decreases.

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  1. SWR bandwidth decreases ✔
  2. SWR bandwidth increases
  3. Gain is reduced

Why: A high-Q antenna is sharply tuned, like a ringing bell. It works well on its resonant frequency but only over a narrow range.

Huh, didn't know that: A loading coil resonates an electrically short antenna by cancelling its capacitive reactance (E9D09).

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What do you say when someone asks how to build band-pass filters with a very high Q? The solution should be crystal clear.
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References

Answer: SWR bandwidth decreases. A high-Q antenna is sharply tuned, like a ringing bell. It works well on its resonant frequency but only over a narrow range.

  1. NCVEC 2024-2028 Amateur Extra Question Pool, 4th Errata (Feb 4, 2026) ncvec.org/downloads/2024-2028%20Extra%20Class%20Question%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20with%204th%20Errata%20Feb%204%202026.pdf
    B. SWR bandwidth decreases
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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