G-Line" Single-Wire, Low Loss Transmission Line
June 1963 Radio-Electronics

June 1963 Radio-Electronics [Table of Contents] Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles from Radio-Electronics, published 1930-1988. All copyrights hereby acknowledged.

The G-Line transmission line is another of those things where I can't imagine being smart enough to come up with the idea, and then implement a working model - like with the enclosed waveguide. Dr. George Goubau (from whence the "G" in the name derives) is the genius in this case. He determined that a sort of waveguide could be made with a single conductor surrounded by insulation with a specific dielectric constant that would cause the dielectric-air interface to reflect the wave in a manner similar to atmospheric channels that facilitate long distance communications. I'm guessing the Surface Conduction company advertising the G-Line for sale in this 1963 issue of Radio-Electronics magazine is Dr. Goubau's enterprise. That was ten years after inventing it. The G-Line's boasts are low loss (6 dB/mile), no radiation, and a 300-ohm impedance. The primary disadvantage of the G-Line transmission line is its limited efficiency at higher frequencies due to increased surface wave attenuation and sensitivity to environmental obstructions, making it less practical for modern high-frequency applications compared to conventional waveguides or coaxial cables.

G-Line" Single-Wire, Low Loss Transmission Line

"No Booster" solution to UHF problems

"G-Line·

TV servicemen can now substantially extend the range of UHF reception with this new, inexpensive, single-wire, low loss transmission line - only 6 db for 500 ft.

Complete kit includes 150 feet of special wire ... List Price, ... $56.00

Extra 100 ft. rolls ... $8.00 per roll.

Write for "G-Line" Catalog of "No Booster" CATV (up to 4·mi.); also Microwave and Hi-Power lines.

Surface Conduction, Inc.

1501 Broadway

New York 36, New York