Proving the HEBA Antenna

The HEBA (High Efficiency Broadband Antenna) has been limited to daytime operation for 7 years. Recent NEC modeling efforts were successful in proving the vertical radiation pattern. The FCC granted nighttime approval in September 2024. Because the HEBA’s 72-foot height makes it a “short antenna,” the FCC rules for nighttime approval are difficult to satisfy. The HEBA also uses a novel two-port design to drive two active elements in the antenna system, while the antenna elements are stacked above a 40-foot square elevated ground plane. There are no ground radials. The HEBA is immune to seasonal tuning variations experienced by many conventional AM antenna systems. This paper explores the antenna design, provides measurements and uses NEC modeling to illustrate its performance.

David Maxson | Isotrope, LLC | Boston, Mass., United States