Editing Antenna System (section)

== Choose and tune an antenna ==
Antennas are part of a station. Add and edit them in the station editor: in the '''Stations''' tab, select the station and press '''Edit''', then go to '''Antennas'''. See [[SimTX Guide/Stations#Antennas|Stations]].

For a first setup, use the [[Getting Started|31 m dipole example]]. For other frequencies:

# Set the operating frequency first.
# Select an antenna for the intended coverage. A dipole is a good general choice, a vertical favours low angles and a Yagi beams in one direction.
# Set its main dimension for the new frequency, then check the SWR with '''Check SWR at''' on the antenna card. For a dipole, start at <code>143 / frequency in MHz</code> metres.
# Adjust length in small steps if needed. Recheck after changing height or antenna type.
# For a directional antenna on a '''Fixed''' mount, set '''Points toward''' to the intended receiving area. On a rotator mount, turn it while you transmit; see [[SimTX Guide/Rotators and tracking|Rotators and tracking]].

An antenna with a good SWR can still be weak at a distant receiver if it radiates in the wrong direction or the path is closed. See [[Propagation Basics]].