🔍 Key Concepts

• Behavior of a quarter-wave vertical antenna relative to the ground plane • Difference between directional and omni-directional radiation patterns • Typical antennas used for marine VHF and MF/HF communications

💭 Think About

• How does the ground (or ground plane) affect the radiation pattern of a vertical quarter-wave antenna? • If an antenna is well-grounded, does that normally prevent it from radiating, or does it help form the correct radiation pattern? • Which option best describes the usual radiation pattern for marine vertical antennas used for general ship-to-ship/ship-to-shore communication?

✅ Before You Answer

• Clarify what directional vs omni-directional means in the horizontal plane. • Verify whether a good ground connection is beneficial or harmful to a quarter-wave vertical antenna. • Eliminate any option that conflicts with normal marine VHF/MF antenna practice.