The Stacked Antenna module will add multiple vertically-stacked horizontal plane directional antenna patterns (with different powers and major lobe azimuths) and calculate an approximate composite pattern. Propagation modules can use this resultant antenna pattern for computing field strength values. It is not to be used with horizontal arrays. A Tutorial Video is available.
The Stacked Antenna program combines the horizontal plane patterns of multiple antennas (as many as you want to enter into the program) for a preliminary antenna design. The program combines the horizontal plane (or “azimuth”) pattern of multiple directional antennas, including the effects of uneven power distribution and different azimuth orientation for each antenna. The program assumes the antennas are stacked vertically, with no electrical coupling between the antennas that would affect the individual horizontal pattern of each antenna. Consult the antenna manufacturer to determine the suggested vertical spacing (typically 0.6 to 1.0 wavelengths). Note that no vertical plane (or “elevation”) pattern is computed for the composite antenna array.
This program is not to be considered definitive when planning a stacked antenna array. Precise modeling can only be done when antenna spacing and phasing are considered on every horizontal and vertical angle, which are beyond the scope of this program. The phase of the electric field intensity produced by each antenna on a given azimuth is necessary to compute accurately the stacked array field produced on that azimuth. Since this azimuth phasing information is not generally available from antenna manufacturers, the results of this program should be considered a preliminary design. Final antenna selection and design of a stacked array should include measured pattern data from the antenna manufacturer, or calculations based on the manufacturer’s phasing information.