Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 8 hours ago
What does high feedpoint reactance actually tell you about an HF antenna?
A large reactive component can indicate a serious impedance mismatch, but it does not automatically mean the antenna is inefficient, that reflected power is being lost, or that common-mode current is flowing on the coax.
In this video, we go beyond the analyzer reading and separate several concepts that are often mistakenly treated as the same problem:
• Feedpoint resistance and reactance
• Impedance mismatch, SWR, and reflected power
• Feed-line loss and impedance transformation
• Voltage and current stress
• Stored energy, antenna Q, and bandwidth
• Radiation efficiency
• Common-mode current and feed-system imbalance
• Common-mode choke performance
• VNA reference planes and feedpoint measurements
We’ll also develop a practical six-step diagnostic process for determining what a high-reactance measurement means in your particular antenna installation.
Reactance is valuable information, but it is only the beginning of the diagnosis.
If you enjoy technically detailed discussions about antennas, RF measurements, and amateur radio equipment, please consider subscribing for more content like this.
Thanks for watching!
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Links to products in the video:
👉 NanoVNA: amzn.to/4rCF2ai
👉 TinySA Ultra: amzn.to/3PGlAfk
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
👉👉 Join The Ham Radio Project Discord: discord.gg/bgpwE5WF9p 👈👈
👍Support TheSmokinApe Channel on Patreon Here: patreon.com/TheSmokinApe
🔥🔥🔥 Get your Ham Radio License using Ham Radio Prep:
HamRadioPrep.com/?rfsn=8915836.d56e74
USE CODE "SmokinApe" for 20% OFF
What does high feedpoint reactance actually tell you about an HF antenna?
A large reactive component can indicate a serious impedance mismatch, but it does not automatically mean the antenna is inefficient, that reflected power is being lost, or that common-mode current is flowing on the coax.
In this video, we go beyond the analyzer reading and separate several concepts that are often mistakenly treated as the same problem:
• Feedpoint resistance and reactance
• Impedance mismatch, SWR, and reflected power
• Feed-line loss and impedance transformation
• Voltage and current stress
• Stored energy, antenna Q, and bandwidth
• Radiation efficiency
• Common-mode current and feed-system imbalance
• Common-mode choke performance
• VNA reference planes and feedpoint measurements
We’ll also develop a practical six-step diagnostic process for determining what a high-reactance measurement means in your particular antenna installation.
Reactance is valuable information, but it is only the beginning of the diagnosis.
If you enjoy technically detailed discussions about antennas, RF measurements, and amateur radio equipment, please consider subscribing for more content like this.
Thanks for watching!
👍Join this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UCdJlIoWR3mf7apfB1dXS97A/join
Links to products in the video:
👉 NanoVNA: amzn.to/4rCF2ai
👉 TinySA Ultra: amzn.to/3PGlAfk
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
👉👉 Join The Ham Radio Project Discord: discord.gg/bgpwE5WF9p 👈👈
👍Support TheSmokinApe Channel on Patreon Here: patreon.com/TheSmokinApe
🔥🔥🔥 Get your Ham Radio License using Ham Radio Prep:
HamRadioPrep.com/?rfsn=8915836.d56e74
USE CODE "SmokinApe" for 20% OFF
