An Evaluation of the Performance of the VLA Circular Waveguide System

A practical and theoretical evaluation of the characteristics of the unique millimeter wavelength, helix-lined, circular waveguide system installed at the Very Large Array Program in New Mexico is presented. The communication system, as installed, exhibits, performance characteristics which exceed the original specifications, indicating that carefully planned direct burial of overdimensioned circular waveguide can be a practical and cost-effective installation technique.