Folding 5-Element Yagi for 144 MHz

This document describes the design and construction of a folding 5-element Yagi antenna for the 144 MHz band. It is intended for portable VHF/UHF operating, particularly for Rover classes in VHF contests, where quick assembly is desirable. The antenna offers approximately 1.5 dB more gain than a previous 4-element design and maintains a decent SWR up to about 147 MHz. Key details include element dimensions, boom construction from 3/4-inch pine, and folding mechanism. The boom length is 52 inches, folding to 26 inches for transport. Parasitic elements are 3/16-inch solid aluminum, and the driven element uses brass tubing. The document provides a table with element distances and lengths, along with details on boom construction and materials. Tolerances for element positions are within +/-2 mm and element lengths within +/-1 mm. No boom correction factor is applied for the wood boom.