Question T9B08
From subelement T9 - T9B
Which of the following is a source of loss in coaxial feed line?
Why is this correct?
All three options cause coaxial cable losses. Water intrusion increases resistance and creates signal reflections. High SWR means power bounces back and forth instead of radiating, converting to heat in the feed line. Multiple connectors introduce impedance mismatches and connection losses at each junction. Each factor reduces the RF power that reaches your antenna, making 'All these choices are correct' the right answer.
Memory tip
Look for 'all of the above' patterns when multiple independent failure modes exist. In RF systems, losses typically add up from multiple sources rather than having single causes. This question tests understanding that coaxial systems have several vulnerability points.
Learn more
Think of coaxial cable as a power delivery highway where obstacles reduce traffic flow. Water creates 'potholes' in the dielectric, changing its electrical properties. High SWR acts like traffic jams where power bounces back. Extra connectors are like toll booths that extract a fee from passing signals. In practical amateur radio operation, maintaining low-loss feed lines requires attention to weatherproofing, impedance matching through antenna tuners, and minimizing connection points in your RF path.
Think about it
Why do you think each of these loss sources affects different aspects of the coaxial cable's electrical properties, and how might you prioritize addressing them in your station setup?