Noncontacting waveguide backshort

A noncontacting waveguide backshort is provided for use with frequencies of interest between 1 and 1000 GHz including a relatively rugged metallic bar movably mounted within the waveguide in a MYLAR insulator. A series of regularly shaped and spaced circular or rectangular openings are made in the metallic bar to form sections of high impedance alternating with sections of the bar having low impedance. This creates a periodic impedance variation which serves to provided an adjustable short circuit in a waveguide for the frequencies of interest.