A delay line is constructed using a lossless (or low loss) transmission line which, in turn, can be constructed using an auxiliary conductor inductively coupled to the primary conductor. The auxiliary conductor is driven by the primary conductor through an active shunt network distributed along the transmission line. The auxiliary conductor is placed close enough to the primary conductor so that the two conductors have a substantial amount of mutual inductance compared to their self-inductance. In one embodiment, a combination of conductance and transconductance are used to cancel losses and control dispersion in the transmission line for high frequency signal transmission. In one embodiment, an FIR filter is constructed using the delay line.