Search results
Query: reflector antenna
Links: 52 | Categories: 0
-
Constructing a **reduced-size coaxial Moxon rectangle** antenna for the 17-meter band is detailed, presenting a method to achieve a compact directional antenna. The resource outlines the use of RG-58/U coaxial cable for elements, enabling a substantial reduction in physical dimensions compared to traditional wire or tubing Moxon designs. It provides specific instructions for tuning coaxial elements using an **MFJ-259B antenna analyzer**, including a formula to calculate trimming lengths based on measured resonance and desired frequency. The article explains how to prepare the coaxial cable for both driven and reflector elements, specifying connections for testing and final assembly. Performance data from an MFJ-259B shows SWR readings between 1.0 and 1.2 across 18.068 MHz to 18.168 MHz, with R values from 51 to 59 ohms and X values of 0 or 6 ohms. The antenna's power handling is approximately 500 watts continuous, limited by the RG-58/U coax. Comparative receive testing against an All-Band Sterba Curtain at 50 feet indicated a 2 S-unit reduction for the coaxial Moxon at 9 feet, suggesting optimal performance at a height of 34-40 feet for a 15-18 degree take-off angle. The design achieves an electrical quarter wavelength with over 30 percent size reduction.
-
Constructing a compact, directional antenna for the 6-meter band presents unique challenges, especially for operators with limited space or those seeking portable solutions. This project details the build of a 50 MHz Moxon rectangle, specifically engineered for balcony or temporary mast deployment, using readily available materials from a typical hardware store. The design emphasizes ease of construction and portability, allowing for quick setup and breakdown. The antenna's dimensions are precisely calculated using _Moxgen_ software for 50.200 MHz, ensuring optimal performance. Key construction techniques include using aluminum U-channel for elements, fiberglass driveway markers for insulation, and cable ties for secure assembly. The guide provides detailed instructions for fabricating the driven element, reflector, and boom, including a clever method for creating foldable element tips for transport. Performance observations indicate a respectable front-to-back ratio, capable of reducing an S7 signal to S0 when pointed away, and a modest gain over a simple wire antenna. The design incorporates a ferrite bead choke balun at the feedpoint to mitigate common-mode current and reduce shack noise, a critical consideration for urban or apartment-based operations.
-
This wire-beam has one radiator-element, feeded with 450-Ohm-Wireman-twinlead and needs an antenna-tuner. For the bands 6m, 10m, 12m, 15m, 17m and 20m bended reflector-elements are used. The support is a cross of 4 fibreglass-fishing-rods
-
The ARRL ANTENNA Vol 5 COMPENDIUM features an article detailing two portable 6-meter antennas: a 2-element quad and a 3-element Yagi with telescoping elements. The 2-element quad exhibits a measured gain of **4.2 dB** over a dipole, while the 3-element Yagi achieves **5.8 dB** over a dipole. Both designs prioritize ease of construction and rapid assembly/disassembly for portable operations. Specific dimensions are provided for a 3-element 6-meter quad using #14 bare copper wire. The reflector element diameter is 6.2958 meters, the driven element 6.125 meters, and the director 5.8547 meters. Element spacing is 0.9398 meters between reflector and driven, and 1.1684 meters between driven and director. The SWR is under _1.26:1_ from 50 to 50.4 MHz, with a feed point impedance of 48.75 -j0.13 Ohms at 50.2 MHz, suitable for direct 50 Ohm coax feeding with a current _balun_.
-
A 40-meter reversible _Moxon rectangle_ antenna project details its construction and performance, featuring 51-foot long sides and 7.7-foot turned-in sections. The design incorporates a 16.5-foot boom, with elements spaced 1.1 feet apart, constructed from #14 covered wire. It utilizes two double-pole relays for switching between NE and SW directions, achieving F/B ratios up to 40 dB on CW and 30 dB on SSB, with distinct reflector stub settings for each mode. This antenna replaced a full-size 2-element Yagi, demonstrating comparable forward gain while offering superior F/B ratios and directional flexibility. _EZNEC_ modeling indicates only 0.2 dB less forward gain than the Yagi. The system uses no baluns, relying on half-wave feedlines and switched stubs for impedance matching. The antenna is tree-supported at 45 feet, with its effective radiation height modeled at 80 feet due to local terrain, enhancing its performance over a nearby lake.
-
Designing a compact directional antenna for the 70cm band involves balancing gain, front-to-back ratio, and physical size. This resource details the construction of a 2-element Moxon rectangle antenna for 432 MHz, outlining the specific dimensions for the driven element and reflector, and discussing the advantages of its folded dipole configuration. The article provides insights into the historical context of 70cm operations and the author's personal experiences with early 432 MHz transceivers and antenna setups, such as a Jaybeam 48-element TV antenna. It also touches upon the practical aspects of building and deploying such an antenna for local and weak-signal work. The Moxon antenna design is compared to a 3-element Yagi, noting its superior front-to-back ratio and broader bandwidth for a given boom length, making it suitable for portable operations or restricted spaces. The construction uses readily available materials like copper wire and PVC tubing, emphasizing simplicity and ease of replication. Performance characteristics, including a reported gain of approximately 5.5 dBi and a front-to-back ratio of 20 dB, are discussed in the context of its compact footprint. The resource includes a visual representation of the antenna's dimensions and construction, aiding in practical implementation.
-
Calculates precise dimensions for **Moxon rectangle** HF antennas, enabling hams to design antennas by inputting desired resonant frequency and wire diameter. This web-based tool, version 0.5, is a PHP front-end developed by W4/VP9KF, based on a public domain BASIC program originally authored by L. B. Cebik, W4RNL. It generates critical measurements for the driven element and reflector, ensuring proper spacing and element lengths for optimal performance. User feedback confirms the calculator's accuracy, with one user reporting resonance within 50 Hz of the design frequency for an 18 MHz antenna, eliminating the need for SWR adjustments. This contrasts with other online tools that resulted in significant frequency discrepancies. The tool's precision facilitates building **directional antennas** for specific bands, contributing to effective DXing and contesting operations.
-
Theory, Modeling, and Practical Applications By W5JCK, presentation in PDF File. This presentation focuses on Near-Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS) antennas, which are crucial for short-range radio communications, particularly in military and emergency contexts. It explores NVIS theory, antenna models, and installation criteria while debunking common myths about reflectors. Key topics include usable frequency bands, optimal installation heights, and the impact of soil quality on performance. The presentation outlines the best bands for daytime and nighttime use, emphasizing the importance of understanding propagation characteristics to enhance communication effectiveness within 200 to 300 miles.
-
The idea of using a low mount dipole, enhanced with reflector wires directly beneath the dipole, on the ground, appears to be a very good approach to creating an NVI specific antenna for local HF operation.
-
A 7 MHz vertical half-Moxon array, designed by F6IRF, is presented with its MMANA model, featuring a 20cm gap between the two horizontal elements. The design aims for a low take-off angle, crucial for DX work, and includes specific dimensions for the driven element and reflector, which are constructed from 2mm copper wire. The antenna's feedpoint impedance is approximately 50 ohms, allowing for direct coax feed without a matching network, and it is intended for portable or temporary installations. Field results indicate the antenna provides a **3 dB** gain over a quarter-wave vertical, with a front-to-back ratio of **10 dB** on 40 meters. The author notes successful DX contacts into _VK_ and _ZL_ from France, demonstrating its effectiveness for long-haul communication. The design emphasizes simplicity and portability, making it suitable for operators seeking a directional antenna solution for the 40m band without complex setup requirements.
-
A 20-meter Moxon antenna design provides a compact directional solution for the 14 MHz band, achieving approximately **5.5 dBi** of forward gain and a front-to-back ratio exceeding 20 dB. This rectangular wire array, consisting of a driven element and a reflector, offers a smaller footprint than a traditional 2-element Yagi, making it suitable for space-constrained installations. Construction details focus on specific dimensions for the wire elements, fed with 50-ohm coaxial cable. The _Moxon rectangle_ inherently delivers wide bandwidth and a clean radiation pattern, simplifying tuning with a relatively low SWR across the entire 20-meter band. Its robust performance makes it a practical choice for both fixed stations with limited tower space and portable _DXing_ operations. The design's characteristics are particularly beneficial for contesting and long-haul communications on 20 meters.
-
Constructing a high-gain, compact antenna for 2 meters often involves balancing theoretical performance with practical build challenges. WB8AHT recounts his journey in building a 6-element _Super Duper Moxon_ antenna for 144 MHz, inspired by designs from M0PXS and GW3YDX. He initially encountered discrepancies in published dimensions for the _HAARP Antenna_ and the _Super Moxon_, leading to on-air SWR issues and suboptimal performance. His methodical approach involved cross-referencing, direct communication with Phil Simpson (M0PXS), and iterative adjustments to element lengths based on observed results and a _SARK-110 Antenna Analyzer_ scan. After modifying the reflector/driven element and third director dimensions, the antenna achieved a respectable 1.35:1 SWR at 144.200 MHz. Field testing with 50 watts yielded contacts up to 500 miles, suggesting performance close to the 15 dBi gain predicted by _4NEC2_ software, despite its compact 40-inch boom. The article includes specific construction notes, such as tubing sizes (1/2-inch and 3/8-inch aluminum) and feedpoint spacing (50mm). The author's experience highlights the importance of real-world validation for antenna designs, even those with strong theoretical backing. He provides a table of tubing lengths for 6m, 4m, and 2m versions, along with his final, optimized dimensions, offering a practical blueprint for fellow hams interested in replicating or further experimenting with this high-performance, small-footprint VHF antenna.
-
The document details the construction of a compact, two-element Quad antenna specifically designed for the 10, 12, and 15-meter HF bands, featuring a single feedline for all three bands. It provides specific dimensions for the driven element and reflector loops, along with boom length and spacing, emphasizing a **0.12 wavelength** spacing between elements. The design incorporates a gamma match for impedance transformation and uses PVC tubing for spreaders, aiming for a lightweight yet robust structure suitable for portable or restricted-space operations. Performance measurements indicate a forward gain of approximately **6 dBd** on 10 meters and a front-to-back ratio of _20 dB_ on 15 meters, demonstrating effective directivity and signal rejection. The antenna exhibits a VSWR below 1.5:1 across the target bands, achieved through careful tuning of the gamma match. This compact Quad offers a viable directional solution for HF DXing and contesting, particularly where full-size Yagis are impractical.
-
An efficient 2 meter antenna disguised as a TV Satellite dish. This vertically polarized horizontal slot antenna, cut into the reflector of a TV dish, might be the ultimate stealth antenna.
-
Presents the mechanical and electrical specifications for a 5-element Yagi beam antenna designed for the 6-meter band. The resource details element lengths, spacing, and boom dimensions, specifically utilizing _EMT conduit_ for construction. It includes a diagram illustrating the element layout, a coaxial balun connection, and a reported SWR curve, providing a practical blueprint for hams to replicate the design. The design achieves a reported SWR of **1.1:1** at 50.125 MHz, indicating efficient impedance matching across the primary 6-meter DX window. The boom length is specified at 2.44 meters (8 feet), with element lengths ranging from 2.87 meters for the reflector to 2.59 meters for the director 3. This configuration suggests a gain figure typical for a 5-element Yagi, likely in the range of **9-10 dBi**, making it suitable for local and sporadic-E DX contacts.
-
A 2,4 GHz 13cm band quadrible qiad antenna with reflector offering a 14dbd gain
-
A GSM1800 Moxon Square antenna project is presented, detailing its construction using three 1.5mm copper wire pieces for the reflector and dipole elements. The design inherently offers a 50-ohm feedpoint impedance, allowing direct connection to 50-ohm coax without complex matching networks like baluns or gamma matches, which are prone to high attenuation at 1.8 GHz if not precisely built. The resource includes a construction plan, expected **SWR plots**, and **radiation patterns** for the GSM 1800 band, specifically covering the 1710-1785 MHz transmit (red zone) and 1805-1880 MHz receive (blue zone) segments. The SWR remains below 2:1 across the entire GSM 1800 band, with the main lobe consistently achieving 5-6 dBi gain. While the radiation pattern shows some changes across the band, these primarily affect the back of the antenna, maintaining consistent forward gain. Practical considerations for high-frequency operation are emphasized, such as minimizing coax length (e.g., under 1 meter for RG-174) and selecting appropriate connectors like N, SMA, or BNC to mitigate significant attenuation. The article also discusses direct connection to the phone's RF PCB for minimal loss and notes observed signal strength variations with antenna orientation despite crossed polarization at cell sites.
-
Constructing a portable, high-gain antenna for _AO-40_ satellite operations presents unique challenges, particularly regarding mechanical stability and parabolic accuracy. This resource details the build of a 1.2-meter "brolly dish" antenna, utilizing a non-conducting fiberglass umbrella frame as its foundation. The project outlines a method for achieving a parabolic shape using stressed aluminum fly screen mesh, guided by practical geometry and a temporary dowel template. Key steps include selecting an appropriate umbrella with a suitable f/D ratio (ideally >0.25), removing the original fabric, and precisely cutting and attaching eight segments of fly screen to the struts to form the reflective surface. The construction process, which took approximately five hours for the author, _G6LVB_, resulted in a dish with an f/D of 0.27 (depth=270mm, diameter=1160mm, f=310mm). The article also describes a modification to a _TransSystem AIDC_ feed, incorporating a PCB reflector behind the dipole for easier mounting. Performance tests at a squint angle of 15 deg and a range of 50,000km yielded a signal-to-noise ratio of 33dB on the S2 beacon and 23dB for SSB signals, indicating strong reception. The author notes that the modified umbrella may not close fully without risking surface disfigurement.
-
A 20-meter vertical _Moxon_ antenna, designed for portable operation, is detailed with specific dimensions for its driven and reflector elements. The project outlines the construction process, including the use of PVC pipe for the frame and #14 AWG insulated wire for the elements. The antenna's compact size and directional characteristics make it suitable for field day operations or limited space environments, offering a gain of approximately 5.5 dBi and a front-to-back ratio of 20 dB. Testing revealed a 1.2:1 SWR at 14.250 MHz, demonstrating good impedance matching across the target frequency range. The _Moxon rectangle_ design provides a clean radiation pattern with minimal side lobes, which is advantageous for reducing QRM from unwanted directions. This build offers a practical solution for hams seeking a lightweight, easily deployable directional antenna for 20 meters without the complexity of a full-sized Yagi.
-
The **2M Moxon antenna** design presented operates at 144 MHz, providing a compact, directional solution for VHF communications. Construction involves aluminum tubing for the elements, with specific dimensions for the driven element and reflector to achieve optimal performance. The design aims for a good front-to-back ratio and a relatively low SWR across the 2-meter band, making it suitable for portable or fixed station use where directivity is beneficial. Element lengths are critical for proper resonance and pattern. The driven element measures approximately 38.5 inches, while the reflector is slightly longer at 40.5 inches. Spacing between the elements is 12 inches, forming the characteristic Moxon rectangle. This configuration yields a gain of about 5.5 dBi and a front-to-back ratio exceeding 20 dB, which is advantageous for reducing interference from unwanted directions. Feedpoint impedance is close to 50 ohms, allowing direct connection to coaxial cable without complex matching networks. The antenna's lightweight structure, typically under 2 pounds, facilitates easy deployment and rotation, making it a practical choice for field operations or as a compact home station antenna.
-
Demonstrates the design principles and performance characteristics of **corner reflector antennas**, emphasizing their high gain and directional properties. It covers critical design factors such as the corner angle and the spacing between the radiating dipole and the reflector vertex. The resource explains how reducing the corner angle increases gain but lowers feed impedance, making matching more challenging. Practical angles of 90 degrees or 60 degrees are discussed, with 90 degrees offering easier impedance matching despite slightly lower gain. Details key design considerations, including reflector side length exceeding two wavelengths and reflector width greater than one wavelength for a half-wave radiator. It specifies reflector construction using wire netting, sheet metal, or parallel metal spines spaced less than 0.1 wavelength. The article provides a table with general dimensions for UHF and VHF bands, noting typical impedance values of 50 to 75 ohms and expected SWR of 1.7:1 on the lower band edge. Adjustable radiator-to-vertex spacing is highlighted as crucial for final tuning.
-
The Moxon Beam, introduced by L. Moxon (G6XN), is a compact 2-element Yagi featuring a radiator and reflector with reduced dimensions, approximately 75% the size of a full-size beam. This design utilizes bent element ends for capacitive loading, which is superior to inductive loading with coils, resulting in greater bandwidth and lower losses. DK7ZB details that while the gain is slightly lower (0.5-0.7 dB) than a full-size beam, the _Moxon_ offers an exceptional front-to-back (F/B) ratio of 30 dB or more on its design frequency, surpassing other 2-element beams. The article provides specific dimensions for building wire _Moxon_ antennas for bands from 30m down to 10m, and also mentions a 2-m-Moxon. Construction guidance includes using fishing rods for lightweight spreaders and an aluminum tubing spider for support. The resource highlights the utility of _Moxgen_ by AC6LA, a freeware program that simplifies Moxon beam design and generates EZNEC output files for further analysis and tapering modifications. DK7ZB emphasizes that the design frequency should be set at approximately one-third from the band's beginning to optimize SWR performance, as SWR tends to rise more significantly below the design frequency. The bandwidth for SWR < 1.5 is noted as sufficient for ranges like 28.0-28.7 MHz and 21.0-21.45 MHz when constructed with aluminum tubes, though wire beams exhibit a narrower bandwidth.
-
A 4 elements handitenna for 70 cm band. This is my version of the K5OE Handitenna. This one is a four Element instead of three, as I had less of a crunch on space than he did. The 1st three elements (Reflector, Driven Element, and Director 1) are the same dimensions as his were.
-
The resource details the construction of a 3-element Yagi antenna specifically designed for the 6-meter band, providing coverage across 50-54 MHz. This antenna design, originally featured in _QST_ August 2007, emphasizes a short boom configuration while maintaining a wideband response. Key specifications include a 50 Ohm SWR of less than 2:1 across the entire band, achieved through specific element lengths and spacing. The design utilizes aluminum tubing for elements and boom, with detailed dimensions provided for the driven element, director, and reflector. Performance characteristics indicate a forward gain of approximately 7.5 dBi and a front-to-back ratio of 18 dB at 50.125 MHz, according to _NEC2_ modeling. The antenna's compact size, with a boom length of 1.83 meters (6 feet), makes it suitable for portable operations or installations with limited space. Construction involves standard amateur radio workshop tools and materials, with a gamma match for impedance transformation to 50 Ohms. The design prioritizes ease of construction and repeatable performance for the 6-meter enthusiast.
-
A simple and awesome wire monoband antenna, very usefull for portable and dxpeditions usage, consist of two elements, a driver and the reflector. This endfed halfwave gives a very low take off angle and is very suited for chasing DX.
-
Similar to Tiny 2 but this three element direct connect antenna utilizes a reflector and a director to achieve gain.
-
Demonstrates the adaptation and construction of a 7-element DK7ZB Yagi antenna for the 4-meter band (70 MHz), utilizing components from a defunct 2-meter CUE DEE Yagi. The resource details the modifications made to the original DK7ZB design to fit the shorter CUE DEE boom length, specifically adjusting element lengths for 6mm rod elements while reusing existing mounting holes for the reflector and last director. It provides precise element lengths for the reflector, dipole (12mm aluminum tube), and five directors, along with a note on cutting elements for transport. The article includes a 4NEC2 simulation file for performance analysis and an SWR plot, confirming the antenna's electrical characteristics. It also specifies the calculation for the quarter-wavelength matching cable using SAT752F coaxial cable, resulting in a 909mm length. Practical application is shown with the finished antenna in operation at JO20XC, listing several activated Maidenhead squares such as JO56PA and JP40KS, validating its effectiveness for portable 70 MHz operations.
-
The essentials of the parabolic reflector or dish antenna and its theory and design for high performance applications such as satellite transmission and reception as well as microwave links.
-
Dish antenna and its theory and design for high performance applications such as satellite transmission and reception as well as microwave links. Parabolic Reflector Antenna: Dish Antenna The parabolic reflector antenna which is often called the dish antenna provides an antenna solution applicable for VHF and above where high gain and directivity are needed for all type of radio communications and radio reception.
-
This web article by VK3BLG details the construction of an experimental 70cm (432 MHz) circularly polarized patch antenna, intended for satellite communication. The resource provides dimensions, feed point specifications, and impedance matching considerations for a single patch element, with discussion extending to array configurations for circular polarization. Construction involves a copper patch element on a dielectric substrate, fed via a coaxial cable. The design is based on information derived from AO-40 satellite antenna specifications, focusing on achieving circular polarization for satellite reception. The article includes specific dimensions for the patch and feed points, along with impedance values. Validation is implied through on-air satellite reception reports, with initial signal reports of **1 S-point above noise** for AO-40 beacons using a grid reflector, improving to **3-4 S-points above noise** with a 2-turn helical feed. The author references a _NanoVNA_ for impedance measurements and discusses the relationship between slot and dipole antennas in the context of patch design. DXZone Focus: Web Article | 70cm Patch Antenna | On-Air Satellite Reception | Circular Polarization
-
Constructing an effective directional antenna for the 40-meter band presents unique challenges due to its physical size requirements. This resource details the homebrew construction of a 2-element _Moxon_ Yagi antenna specifically designed for 7 MHz operation. The author, TA7OM, provides a visual guide to building this antenna, showcasing the boom, element mounting, and feedpoint connections through a series of high-resolution photographs. While textual descriptions are minimal, the imagery clearly illustrates the mechanical aspects of the antenna's assembly. The _Moxon_ rectangle design offers a compact footprint compared to a full-size Yagi, making it a practical choice for many hams with limited real estate. The visual documentation allows builders to replicate the antenna's structure, including the use of PVC pipe for element support and the method for spacing the driven and reflector elements. The project emphasizes practical construction techniques for achieving a directional pattern on a challenging HF band, suitable for DXing and contesting.
-
cq-contest reflector comments about the performance of the EWE receive antennna collected by KA9FOX
-
A presentation of the Yagi Antennas, and other interesting tid-bits by Brian Mileshosky. The document provides an in-depth exploration of the Yagi-Uda antenna, detailing its historical development, design principles, and performance characteristics. Originally described in the 1920s, the Yagi antenna features a driven element and parasitic elements, including reflectors and directors, which collectively determine its behavior. The document highlights how element lengths, diameters, and spacing influence gain, impedance, and directivity. It also discusses the antenna's reciprocal nature and presents data on typical gain values for various element configurations. Additionally, the text covers practical considerations, such as the construction of a "Tape Measure Yagi" for amateur use, and touches on related antenna types like dipoles and their application in Near Vertical Incident Skywave (NVIS) communication.
-
A 50.200 MHz Moxon antenna for the 6-meter band is detailed, providing practical construction guidance for amateur radio operators. The design utilizes 3/4" aluminum angle stock for the elements, joined with wood molding and 1/4 x 20 hardware. Key components include an SO-239 connector for the feedpoint and a **choke balun** made from coiled RG-58 coax, ensuring proper impedance matching and minimizing common mode current. The antenna measures approximately 29 inches deep by just under 7 feet long, making it suitable for portable operations. Specific dimensions, based on **Cebik's nomenclature**, are provided for the driven element and reflector. The resource also offers modeling hints, suggesting an effective element diameter of 1 inch for software simulations and emphasizing element sizing based on corner screws rather than end-to-end measurements.
-
A Collection of EME Reflector Antennas and YAGI Arrays.
-
The Horn reflector antenna at Bell Telephone Laboratories
-
The Maria Maluca HF multiband antenna as designed in 1957 by PY2BBP is a directive antenna for 15 meter and a passive element that works as director and reflector in different bands
-
This antenna was conceived mainly for high-speed digital transmission via satellite. The antenna is made of two full waves loops , mounted at right angles to each other. Then coupled together, 90 degrees out of phase over a horizontal circular reflector. With this configuration the antenna is omni directional and circularly polarized.
-
The video delves into the fascinating science behind antennas, which are crucial for receiving and transmitting electromagnetic waves. It explains how antennas convert electric signals into electromagnetic waves for transmission, and how they operate through the oscillation of positive and negative charges in dipole arrangements. Practical antenna implementations, such as dipole antennas for TV reception and Yagi-Uda antennas with reflectors and directors, are also discussed alongside modern dish TV antennas with parabolic reflectors for signal processing. It's a comprehensive overview of how antennas work and their significance in communication technology.
-
Quads beams consist of 2 1 wavelength (approximately) loops, ordinarily arranged so that one is the driven element and the other is the reflector. In this project author explains how to build a two element Quad Antenna for the 28 MHz.
-
This is a detailed, technical piece, intended mostly for makers and more creative activators, who enjoy building and using their own tools on the summits. A multiband portable antenna tuner supporting 10W, small and light, suitable for SOTA operations
-
A light portable 2 element Delta beam antenna for 14 MHz. It is basically a two element delta loop wire antenna made for portable usage providing good directivity and a 4.2 dBd gain
-
Constructing a directional antenna for VHF operations, particularly for 2-meter band contests or local communication, often involves balancing performance with ease of build. The Moxon rectangle, a compact two-element beam, offers a good front-to-back ratio and gain in a smaller footprint compared to a Yagi, making it suitable for portable or temporary setups where space is limited. This design typically uses a driven element and a single reflector, bent into a rectangular shape to achieve its unique radiation pattern. The article details the construction of a 2-meter Moxon antenna, specifically for 144 MHz, utilizing readily available materials like PVC pipe for the frame and copper wire for the elements. It outlines the dimensions for the driven element at 970mm and the reflector at 910mm, with a spacing of 140mm between them, and a 50mm gap at the element ends. The feedpoint is a direct 50-ohm connection, simplifying matching requirements. The project includes a parts list, a basic diagram illustrating the element layout and dimensions, and photographs of the completed antenna. The author notes the antenna's performance during a QRP contest, achieving contacts up to 100km with 5 watts, demonstrating its effectiveness for low-power VHF work.
-
The DK7ZB-Dualband-Moxon-Beam provides a compact, high-performance antenna solution for 28 MHz and 50 MHz operations, utilizing a single 50-ohm feedpoint. This design functions as a mini-beam on 10 meters, achieving a gain of **4.0 dBd** with a front-to-back ratio of _30 dB_, while operating as a 2-element Yagi on 6 meters, yielding a gain of **4.3 dBd** and an 11 dB F/B ratio. The antenna's dimensions are approximately two-thirds that of a full-size 10-meter beam, making it suitable for smaller spaces. Construction details include a parts list specifying aluminum tubes of various diameters and lengths for the reflector and radiator elements. Builders like Aleks (S54S) and Marcio (PY2OK) have successfully replicated the design, with Aleks noting the utility of bending corners during assembly. Fine-tuning is accomplished by adjusting the length of specific elements that slide into larger tubes. The feeding system incorporates a balun, with options for either 300 watts using RG188 on an FT140-43 core or 1 kilowatt using _Aircell-5_ on an FT240-43 core, ensuring versatility for different power levels.
-
The reason for making this antenna was the desire for a vertical (hence DX-ish) antenna that would cover at least 20m that would fit on my 5m fishing pole. This antenna can work on 20m 17m 15m bands and it is suitable for SOTA operations
-
Documents the design and construction of a **four-band Moxon beam** antenna, covering 20, 15, 10, and 6 meters. Author W7JMP shares his journey from initial research and computer modeling using 4NEC2 to the final on-air testing and optimization. The project aimed for gain over a dipole on 20 meters, with a budget under $500, including the antenna rotor. The design incorporates fiberglass spreaders and a single feedpoint, avoiding complex relay switching. The article details the selection of materials, assembly techniques, and the critical tuning process. W7JMP describes fabricating the hub, mounting spreaders, and attaching elements made from stripped THTN wire. A notable innovation is the use of a half-wave tuning stub with a loading coil for in-situ adjustment of the 20-meter reflector, optimized via remote S-meter readings using a webcam and smartphone. This method allowed for fine-tuning the **front-to-back ratio** without lowering the antenna. Initial testing revealed a dipole-like pattern, which was significantly improved after tuning, resulting in reported 2 to 4 S-unit front-to-back ratios and enhanced signal strength for DX contacts on multiple bands, including sporadic E on 10 and 6 meters.
-
This project introduces the Loggi, a hybrid antenna merging the wide frequency coverage of log-periodic dipole arrays (LPDA) with the high gain and front-to-back ratio (F/B) of Yagi antennas. Traditional LPDAs span broad frequencies with moderate gain and low VSWR, while Yagis provide high gain and F/B over narrow bands. By analyzing high-Tau LPDA designs, it was found they could nearly match the gain of VHF/UHF Yagis while maintaining excellent patterns, F/B, and front-to-rear ratios (F/R). Optimizing specific elements for target frequencies (e.g., 144.1 MHz) led to the Loggi, which uniquely features all driven elements without passive directors or reflectors. This design effectively functions as a narrowband optimized LPDA, with front elements acting like Yagi directors and rear elements like Yagi reflectors, thus enhancing gain and directional characteristics while retaining broad frequency versatility.
-
This project details the design and construction of a Spider Quad antenna for HF bands (20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, and 10m). The boomless structure optimizes driver and reflector spacing, enhancing performance. Tuning and impedance matching were refined using antenna analyzers and a 1:2 balun. Final tests confirmed excellent SWR and gain, making this an efficient solution for top performance DXing.
-
Details the construction of a portable 6-meter 4-element quad antenna, specifically designed for VHF and Field Day operations. The design emphasizes portability and rapid field assembly, utilizing a 10-foot boom, #12 bare wire elements, and fiberglass electric fence post spreaders. It presents specific dimensions for reflector, driven element, and directors, including spreader lengths, circumferences, and corner marks, all derived from a G0KSC design and modeled in EZNEC. The resource outlines the fabrication of synthetic lumber hubs that allow post-assembly adjustments along the boom, and describes spreader clamps made from ¾” OD fiberglass rod, drilled and tapped for 8-32 nylon thumbscrews to secure element wires. It provides instructions for reducing spreader ends to 0.370” OD for proper fit and details the assembly of the boom from two 1½” OD x 6’ aluminum tubes. Performance data from EZNEC modeling indicates a gain of 10.25 dBi (8.1 dBd) and a 20 dB F/B ratio at 50.150 MHz, with SWR values of 1.08, 1.09, and 1.11 at 50, 50.15, and 50.5 MHz respectively. The document includes a field test report from Field Day 2010, where the antenna was deployed at 21 feet, showing an SWR resonance 200 KHz below EZNEC predictions. It notes successful 5-watt QSOs into New York and Canada from Tennessee, highlighting the antenna's excellent directivity and gain compared to a 4 dBd Moxon. The antenna breaks down into easily transportable components, including two 5’ boom sections, a 3’ boom connector, 16 spreaders, and four element/spreader clamp assemblies.
-
Explores the addition of a reflector to the traditional Hentenna design for 6m band, providing construction insights, performance comparisons, and modeling data