6 and 20cm flux densities of radio galaxies

Our study is based on a sample of 330 5 GHz VLBI contour maps taken from the literature. Unlike extended source samples, the "angular size - redshift" relation for compact radio sources appears consistent with the predictions of standard Friedmann world models with q_0_=~0.5 without the need to consider evolutionary or selection effects due to a "linear size-luminosity" dependence.

By confining our analysis to sources having a spectral index, -0.38<={alpha}<=0.18, and a total radio luminosity, Lh^2^>= 10^26^W/Hz (H_0_=100hkm/s/Mpc, q_0_=0.5 used as a numerical example), we are able to restrict the dispersion in the "angular size-redshift" relation. The best fitting regression analysis in the framework of the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker model gives the value of the deceleration parameter q_0_=0.21+/-0.30 if there are no evolutionary or selection effects due to a "linear size-luminosity", "linear size-redshift" or "linear size-spectral index" dependence.