The Crow´s-Nest Antenna - Special Aspects and Results

A phased array with the elements statistically distributed within the volume of a sphere is described ("crow\´s-nest antenna") which permits a full hemispherical beam coverage. Theoretical calculations concerning radiation pattern, peak and mean sidelobe level, coupling effects and the influence of an element density tapering on the radiation pattern show good agreement with experimental results taken from 11 different crow\´s-nest antennas. The results of a 200 element crow\´s-nest antenna are presented.