Wave impedance is a parameter related to transmission lines. The wave impedance of a line is equal to the square root of the ratio of the distributed inductance along the line to the distributed capacitance along the same line. Physically, wave impedance indicates the equivalent resistance the line presents to the generator. Although wave impedance is calculated from reactive components, it has an active nature. Physically, this means the line consumes energy from the generator.
Most VHF antennas and coaxial cables have a wave impedance of 50 Ohms, as does the output of the radio transmitter. For proper matching, the wave impedance of the antenna should equal the impedance of the cable. In this case, the standing wave ratio (SWR) will be minimal.
Related articles:
Antenna wave impedance,
Coaxial cable wave impedance,
Standing wave ratio,
Traveling wave ratio,
Reactive power,
Wavelength shortening coefficient in feeder lines