You can TUNE an antenna by changing the dimensions of the antenna, or
changing it's proximity to ground and other conductive objects.
You can MATCH a feedline to the antenna's impedance with a impedance
transforming device at the antenna feedpoint.
You can MATCH a transmitter output (or another feedline) to the antenna
and feedline system, somewhere other that right at the antenna feed
point, such as in the shack with an impedance transforming device.
Whatever you call those impedance transforming devices, they do not TUNE
the antenna. They MATCH the different impedances connected to their
antenna system port and source (transmitter) port. In order to get the
impedance transforming (matching) device adjusted to effect the desired
impedance transformation, you TUNE the device. The device does not tune
the antenna. The device is TUNED, it is not a TUNER. The operator (human
or microprocessor or analog servo system) is the TUNER. If a human,
servo system or microprocessor adjusts capacitors, inductors or
transformer taps on a device separated from the antenna, he, she or it
is TUNING the impedance transforming device, not the antenna.If the
human, servo system or microprocessor adjusts antenna dimensions, he,
she or it is TUNING the Antenna.
DE N6KB
|