TWiRT 775 - Innovation in FM Antennas with Keith Pelletier
Friday, November 21, 2025 at 8:23AM
In this episode, Kirk welcomes Keith Pelletier, President of Dielectric, to explore the newest advances in FM transmitting antenna design. Keith explains how Dielectric engineers are now combining custom bay spacing, including innovative mixes of full-wave and half-wave spacing within the same antenna aperture, to deliver precise coverage patterns with dramatically improved efficiency. These hybrid designs can achieve the same or better performance while using about one-third fewer parts, reducing weight, wind load, cost, and long-term maintenance challenges. We also dive into how modern modeling tools, materials, and manufacturing techniques are pushing FM antenna technology further than ever before. If you care about smarter RF design, better coverage, and future-ready FM infrastructure, you’ll want to watch this one. Join us for TWiRT 775 and see where Dielectric is taking FM antennas next!
Show Notes:
The FULL PDF version of the slide presentation from the WIsconsin Broadcasters Clinic: Advances in FM Antenna Technology
Keith mentioned the Dielectric FM Manifold Combiner - YouTube video
FM Antennas – A Comparison and Evaluation of Fundamental Side Mount Designs - 2014 NAB white paper
Guest:
Keith Pelletier - President at Dialectric
Host:
Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, Star94.3, South Seas, & Akamai Broadcasting
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