VHF/UHF Yagi Construction: Isolated Element Method

This document details an alternative method for constructing isolated element Yagi antennas for VHF/UHF bands. It focuses on building 6-element Optimized Wide-Band (OWA) Yagis for 2m, 1.25m, and 70cm, suitable for portable contesting arrays. The construction uses 1/4-inch diameter aluminum rod for elements, isolated from a 1-inch square aluminum boom using commercially available vibration damping clamps (also known as resin support blocks). The design utilizes a bracket-mounted SO-239 for direct 50-ohm coax feed. No special tools or machining are required, as all components are commercially available. The resulting 6-element models achieve an average free-space gain of 10.2 dBi and a 25 dB F/B ratio. The technique is scalable for higher gain antennas with more elements. The guide covers element and boom material specifications, cutting, drilling, and tapping procedures, and considerations for horizontal versus vertical polarization.