A discussion on the properties of electrically small self-resonant wire antennas

The performance properties of several electrically small, self-resonant wire antennas are compared as a function of their total wire length, geometry, and effective volume. The radiation properties considered include resonant frequency, radiation resistance, and quality factor (Q). It is shown that the resonant properties of these antennas are directly a function of the antenna's effective height and effective volume, which are established by both total wire length and geometry. When the total wire length and geometry of these antennas are configured such that the antennas exhibit the same effective height and volume, their resonant properties are essentially identical, independent of any differences in their total wire length and geometry. Both computed and measured data are presented to support the comparison of the antennas' resonant properties.