T9B03 - Why is coaxial cable the most common feed line for amateur radio antenna systems?

Question

Why is coaxial cable the most common feed line for amateur radio antenna systems?

Answer Options

  • A) It is easy to use and requires few special installation considerations
  • B) It has less loss than any other type of feed line
  • C) It can handle more power than any other type of feed line
  • D) It is less expensive than any other type of feed line

Correct Answer: A


Explanation

Coaxial cable is popular not because it is the lowest loss or cheapest, but because it is remarkably easy to work with and has high tolerance for varied installation environments. The RF signal is contained within the shield, meaning the cable can be run along metal objects, buried in the ground, or run alongside other cables without serious performance issues.
Therefore, coaxial cable is the most common feed line because it is easy to use and requires few special installation considerations compared to parallel-conductor lines, which must be kept far away from metal objects.


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