w2aew | #208: Visualizing RF Standing Waves on Transmission Lines @w2aew | Uploaded August 2015 | Updated October 2024, 2 hours ago.
This video illustrates how RF (radio frequency) standing waves are created in transmission lines - through the addition of the forward (transmitted) wave and the reflected wave that results from improperly terminating the line or matching the load or antenna to the transmission line impedance. I have done several videos that relate to transmission lines, terminations and reflections - all of which tell a piece of the story. This video is another piece, and I hope it helps you to understand how standing waves are formed and what the "look" like. This wikipedia link has some great graphics (shown in my video):
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_wave_ratio
Here's my video on transmission lines and terminations:
youtube.com/watch?v=g_jxh0Qe_FY
Measuring the length and impedance of coax:
youtube.com/watch?v=Il_eju4D_TM
How a directional coupler works:
youtube.com/watch?v=byF1FLdbUiA
Measure velocity factor of coax:
youtube.com/watch?v=TpIIftvQPFM
RF Detector Probe used in this video:
youtube.com/watch?v=C8SKiyJUAlU
*Brilliant* mechanical explanation and demonstration of wave propagation and reflections, courtesy of Bell Labs:
youtube.com/watch?v=DovunOxlY1k
...and if you read this far, here's a challenge...
Brownie points to you if you can tell me how I created the "sliding" waveforms and displayed the static standing wave in the first half of the video.

Update: This video got posted on Hackaday!
hackaday.com/2015/08/06/visualizing-rf-standing-waves