40 Meter Reversible Moxon Antenna Design
Design, construction, and performance of a reversible Moxon for 40 meters
Description
Optimizing directional gain on the 40-meter band often involves complex antenna designs; this resource details the construction and performance of a reversible Moxon array. The design provides directional coverage from southeast to west, with a switching mechanism to reverse the pattern towards east to northwest. Key design considerations include precise element spacing, the critical role of coil inductance for proper resonance, and the use of NEC5 for accurate electromagnetic modeling, ensuring the antenna performs as predicted across the desired frequency range.
The antenna's performance is evaluated through on-air contacts, demonstrating effective signal propagation to regions like the Caribbean, South/Central America, the US, and Europe. The article presents measured SWR plots and gain patterns, comparing them against the NEC model predictions to validate the design's efficacy. Practical application notes cover mounting considerations and the benefits of its reversible pattern for targeted DXing on 40 meters, offering a robust solution for operators seeking enhanced directional capabilities without a full-sized rotating Yagi.