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Subelement G9
Antennas and Feed Lines
Section G9C
Directional antennas
Which of the following would increase the bandwidth of a Yagi antenna?
  • Correct Answer
    Larger diameter elements
  • Closer element spacing
  • Loading coils in series with the element
  • Tapered-diameter elements

(A). Larger diameter elements can increase the bandwidth of a Yagi antenna.

A Yagi or Yagi-Uda antenna is composed of a driven element and several parasitic elements (a reflector and one or more directors). Changing to a larger diameter element can increase the bandwidth and SWR of the antenna.

Hint: the fatter the antenna element, the larger bandwidth, which is true for all antennas.

For more info see Wikipedia: Yagi-Uda antenna

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What is the approximate length of the driven element of a Yagi antenna?
  • 1/4 wavelength
  • Correct Answer
    1/2 wavelength
  • 3/4 wavelength
  • 1 wavelength

The approximate length of the driven element of a Yagi antenna is \(1 \over 2\) wavelength.

A Yagi or Yagi-Uda antenna is made up of a driven element and parasitic elements (a reflector and one or more directors). The driven element is (by definition!) \(1 \over 2\) wavelength. It is possible to make an antenna with a \(1 \over 4\) wavelength driven element but it would not be a yagi, since \(1 \over 2\) wavelength is part of the yagi design.

For more info see Wikipedia: Yagi-Uda antenna

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Which statement about a three-element, single-band Yagi antenna is true?
  • The reflector is normally the shortest element
  • Correct Answer
    The director is normally the shortest element
  • The driven element is the longest element
  • Low feed point impedance increases bandwidth

For a three-element, single-band Yagi antenna, the director is normally the shortest parasitic element.

The 3-element Yagi or Yagi-Uda antenna is made up of a driven element (essentially a 1/2-wave dipole) and two parasitic elements - the director and the reflector. The director is typically the shortest element and is usually 95% of the length of the driven element. The reflector is then the longest element, and is typically 105% of the driven element length.

The differences in element length and their positioning contribute to the Yagi being unidirectional.

For more info see Wikipedia: Yagi-Uda antenna

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Which statement about a three-element, single-band Yagi antenna is true?
  • Correct Answer
    The reflector is normally the longest element
  • The director is normally the longest element
  • The reflector is normally the shortest element
  • All of the elements must be the same length

For a three-element, single-band Yagi antenna, the reflector is normally the longest parasitic element.

The 3-element Yagi or Yagi-Uda antenna is made up of a driven element (essentially a 1/2-wave dipole) and two parasitic elements - the director and the reflector. The director is typically the shortest element and is usually 95% of the length of the driven element. The reflector is then the longest element, and is typically 105% of the driven element length.

The differences in element length and their positioning contribute to the Yagi being unidirectional.

For more info see Wikipedia: Yagi-Uda antenna

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How does increasing boom length and adding directors affect a Yagi antenna?
  • Correct Answer
    Gain increases
  • Beamwidth increases
  • Front to back ratio decreases
  • Front to side ratio decreases

Gain increases as boom length is increased and directors are added to a Yagi antenna.

Both increasing the boom length and adding directors to a Yagi or Yagi-Uda antenna will increase the directivity or gain of the antenna. The extra directors serve to influence and concentrate the directivity of the signal. Boom length has the greatest overall effect on the gain of the Yagi antenna.

HINT: Increasing and adding makes GAINS

For more info see Wikipedia: Yagi-Uda antenna

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What configuration of the loops of a two-element quad antenna must be used for the antenna to operate as a beam antenna, assuming one of the elements is used as a reflector?
  • The driven element must be fed with a balun transformer
  • There must be an open circuit in the driven element at the point opposite the feed point
  • The reflector element must be approximately 5 percent shorter than the driven element
  • Correct Answer
    The reflector element must be approximately 5 percent longer than the driven element

In order for one of the elements to be used as a reflector in a two- element quad antenna to operate as a beam antenna, the reflector element must be approximately 5% longer than the driven element.

To create a quad antenna that functions as a directional beam antenna, a reflector is required to "focus" the beam in the forward direction. The reflector should be about 5% longer than the driven element. In the case of a quad antenna, the driven element is about a full wavelength, so the reflector should be in total about 105% of the full wavelength. Therefore each of the four sides of the reflector element will be slightly more than 1/4 wavelength long.

For more info see Wikipedia: Quad antenna

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What does "front-to-back ratio" mean in reference to a Yagi antenna?
  • The number of directors versus the number of reflectors
  • The relative position of the driven element with respect to the reflectors and directors
  • Correct Answer
    The power radiated in the major radiation lobe compared to the power radiated in exactly the opposite direction
  • The ratio of forward gain to dipole gain

(C). The "front-to-back ratio" in reference to a Yagi antenna is the power radiated in the major radiation lobe compared to the power radiated in exactly the opposite direction.

One advantage of using a directional antenna such as the Yagi, is that the greater portion of the power (major lobe) is directed to the front, or the focused signal direction of the antenna. A much smaller part (minor lobe) is at the 180 degree direction. The ratio between the power in the major lobe as compared with the 180 degree lobe is the "front-to-back" ratio.

Memory Hint: front-to-back are opposite directions from each other.

Silly hint: Opposites attract.

For more info see Wikipedia: Yagi-Uda antenna, Front-to-back ratio

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What is meant by the "main lobe" of a directive antenna?
  • The magnitude of the maximum vertical angle of radiation
  • The point of maximum current in a radiating antenna element
  • The maximum voltage standing wave point on a radiating element
  • Correct Answer
    The direction of maximum radiated field strength from the antenna

The "main lobe" of a directional antenna is the direction of maximum radiated field strength from the antenna.

A directional antenna, such as the Yagi or Yagi-Uda antenna, radiates most of its energy in one focused direction. This major or "main lobe" is then much greater, with less signal loss to the sides or opposite direction.

Silly Hint: "Directive Direction". Directive is in the question and only one answer has Direction in it.

For more info see Wikipedia: Main lobe, Yagi-Uda antenna

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How does the gain of two 3-element horizontally polarized Yagi antennas spaced vertically 1/2 wavelength apart typically compare to the gain of a single 3-element Yagi?
  • Approximately 1.5 dB higher
  • Correct Answer
    Approximately 3 dB higher
  • Approximately 6 dB higher
  • Approximately 9 dB higher

3 dB corresponds to twice the gain.

By placing the two Yagi antennas in a "stacked" orientation at 1/2 wavelength apart vertically, the forward gain of the "stack" doubles.

Two antennas => twice as strong.

For more info see Wikipedia: Yagi antenna, Decibel

Note: Just follow the "3's"

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Which of the following is a Yagi antenna design variable that could be adjusted to optimize forward gain, front-to-back ratio, or SWR bandwidth?
  • The physical length of the boom
  • The number of elements on the boom
  • The spacing of each element along the boom
  • Correct Answer
    All of these choices are correct

All of the choices are correct.

The Yagi antenna design can be adjusted to optimize forward gain, front-to- back ratio and SWR bandwidth by any or all of the following: The physical length of the boom, The number of elements on the boom, and The spacing of each element along the boom. Therefore all of these factors should be taken into consideration when designing this antenna

For more info see Wikipedia: Yagi-Uda antenna

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What is the purpose of a gamma match used with Yagi antennas?
  • Correct Answer
    To match the relatively low feed point impedance to 50 ohms
  • To match the relatively high feed point impedance to 50 ohms
  • To increase the front-to-back ratio
  • To increase the main lobe gain

(A) The purpose of a gamma match used with Yagi antennas is to match the relatively low feed-point impedance to 50 ohms.


The gamma match in respect to antenna systems refers to balancing the impedance of the load with an antenna tuner, a matching transformer or matching networks composed of inductors and capacitors.

The normal feedpoint impedance of the 1/2 wave driven element of the Yagi antenna is typically 25 ohms or less. By using gamma matching, the impedance can be brought closer to the standard coaxial cable feed line impedance of 50 ohms.

For more info see Wikipedia: Antenna (radio)_Impedance, Yagi antenna

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Which of the following is an advantage of using a gamma match for impedance matching of a Yagi antenna to 50 ohm coax feed line?
  • Correct Answer
    It does not require that the elements be insulated from the boom
  • It does not require any inductors or capacitors
  • It is useful for matching multiband antennas
  • All of these choices are correct

Yagi antennas typically have an impedance of 20–25 Ω. This would result in a standing wave ratio of 2:1 when used with a 50 Ω coax cable. There are a number of ways you can match impedances; the most common one used with mono-band Yagi antennas is a gamma match, which is essentially a short section of parallel conductor transmission line with an adjustable capacitor.

Notice that the gamma match relies on both inductance and capacitance, which eliminates one of the distractors directly, and also eliminates the "all of these choices are correct" as a possible answer.

Notice also that even though there is such a thing as multi-band Yagi antennas, gamma matches are typically used with mono-band Yagi antennas. That eliminates the final distractor.

The advantage of a gamma match is that the elements don't need to be isolated (or insulated) from the boom, which allows for simpler more sturdy antenna construction.

SILLY HINT: Gamma radiation makes the Incredible Hulk go BOOM!

For more info see Wikipedia: Antenna (radio)_Impedance, Yagi antenna

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Approximately how long is each side of the driven element of a quad antenna?
  • Correct Answer
    1/4 wavelength
  • 1/2 wavelength
  • 3/4 wavelength
  • 1 wavelength

(A). Each side of a quad antenna driven element is approximately 1/4 wavelength.

In a quad antenna, all of the elements are square shaped loops. It is easy enough to think that if the whole driven element is approximately a full wavelength then each of the four sides, makes up 1/4 of the whole. This makes each side about 1/4 wavelength long. Hint: Quad = Quarter

For more info see Wikipedia: Quad antenna

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How does the forward gain of a two-element quad antenna compare to the forward gain of a three-element Yagi antenna?
  • About 2/3 as much
  • Correct Answer
    About the same
  • About 1.5 times as much
  • About twice as much

The forward gain of a 2-element quad antenna is about the same as the forward gain of a 3-element Yagi antenna.

Similarly, a 3-element quad antenna has a higher gain than a 3-element Yagi antenna.

For more info see Wikipedia: Quad antenna, Yagi antenna

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Approximately how long is each side of the reflector element of a quad antenna?
  • Slightly less than 1/4 wavelength
  • Correct Answer
    Slightly more than 1/4 wavelength
  • Slightly less than 1/2 wavelength
  • Slightly more than 1/2 wavelength

The whole length of the reflector element of a quad antenna is about 105% of the length of the driven element (one full wavelength). So each of the four sides of the square reflector element is slightly more than 1/4 wavelength long.

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How does the gain of a two-element delta-loop beam compare to the gain of a two-element quad antenna?
  • 3 dB higher
  • 3 dB lower
  • 2.54 dB higher
  • Correct Answer
    About the same

(D). The two-element delta-loop beam antenna has about the same gain as the two-element quad antenna.

The delta-loop antenna is similar to the quad antenna in that it uses loop elements that are about one wavelength long. The loops of the delta-loop are triangular rather than square. Because of the similar loop construction and spacing the two-element antennas of each type have about the same gain.

For more info see Wikipedia: Quad antenna

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Approximately how long is each leg of a symmetrical delta-loop antenna?
  • 1/4 wavelength
  • Correct Answer
    1/3 wavelength
  • 1/2 wavelength
  • 2/3 wavelength

(B). Each leg of a symmetrical delta-loop antenna is 1/3 wavelength.

The delta-loop antenna uses a driven element, reflector and one or more directors all of which are triangular in shape. The driven element is about 1 full wavelength long, therefore each side of one of the triangular elements is approximately 1/3 wavelength long.

Hint: The Greek letter Delta is written as Δ, which has 3 sides.

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What happens when the feed point of a quad antenna of any shape is moved from the midpoint of the top or bottom to the midpoint of either side?
  • Correct Answer
    The polarization of the radiated signal changes from horizontal to vertical
  • The polarization of the radiated signal changes from vertical to horizontal
  • There is no change in polarization
  • The radiated signal becomes circularly polarized

(A). When the feed point of a quad antenna is changed from the center of either horizontal wire to the center of either vertical wire, the polarization of the radiated signal changes from horizontal to vertical.

The direction of polarization of the quad antenna corresponds directly to the feed-point location on the quad loop. A horizontal polarization results from a feed point on the top or bottom of the loop (the top and bottom sides being horizontal in orientation). A vertical polarization results from the feed point being located on either of the two vertical sides of the loop.

For more info see Wikipedia: Quad antenna

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How does antenna gain stated in dBi compare to gain stated in dBd for the same antenna?
  • dBi gain figures are 2.15 dB lower then dBd gain figures
  • Correct Answer
    dBi gain figures are 2.15 dB higher than dBd gain figures
  • dBi gain figures are the same as the square root of dBd gain figures multiplied by 2.15
  • dBi gain figures are the reciprocal of dBd gain figures + 2.15 dB

gain describes how well the antenna converts input power into radio waves headed in a specified direction —wikipedia

  • dBi - compared to an isotropic antenna
  • dBd - compared to a reference dipole

A reference dipole has 2.15 dB higher gain than an isotropic antenna. This makes sense, because an isotropic antenna radiates equally in all directions, whereas a dipole concentrates the radiation along an axis.

The question, however, isn't whether the reference dipole has a higher gain than the isotropic antenna (it does), but whether a given antenna will have a higher gain number when compared to the reference dipole (dBd) or an isotropic antenna (dBi).

If you have an antenna that is 1dBd, it means it has a gain 1dB above the gain of the reference dipole antenna, which in turn has a gain 2.15dB above an isotropic radiator.

  • 1 dBd = (1 + 2.15) dBi = 3.15 dBi

Logarithmic scales like decibels are convenient because multiplication of values correspond to addition in logarithmic scales. This means that you can immediately disregard the distractors talking about square roots and reciprocals.

Silly hint: The letter “i” (isotropic) is “higher” in the alphabet than “d” (dipole).

SILLY HINT2: Gain in D B i is high-er (twice as high)(even though that's not really accurate in dB)

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What is meant by the terms dBi and dBd when referring to antenna gain?
  • Correct Answer
    dBi refers to an isotropic antenna, dBd refers to a dipole antenna
  • dBi refers to an ionospheric reflecting antenna, dBd refers to a dissipative antenna
  • dBi refers to an inverted-vee antenna, dBd refers to a downward reflecting antenna
  • dBi refers to an isometric antenna, dBd refers to a discone antenna

dBi refers to an isotropic antenna, dBd refers to a dipole antenna

The way decibels work in many engineering disciplines is you define some quantity with respect to a well established, easily referenced quantity. The simplest antenna, a dipole antenna, and the "basic" radiator, the isotropic radiator, are often chosen as baselines for antenna gain representation, each with the units of dBd and dBi.

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