Tag Archives: yagi

Apr 20

Yagi antenna design

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Today while cleaning out the garage, I was thinking about my next antenna project being of the homebrew type. Today I ran into Yagi antenna design basics on Hamuniverse.com and was also linked to WA7RAI’s software called QY4. Although it’s DOS based, it’s still seems rather useful. I took a basic 6m yagi that was automatically generated in QY4 and pasted it’s dimensions into EZNEC. It’s seems to be a somewhat accurate comparison, although I haven’t actually built anything from either program to compare “real world” experience.

The next project is a quad beam satellite phased array. Two beams for 2 meter and two for 440. I figured this to be a good homebrew start as a completed package will cost me over $1500 for commercially produced items. Also this antenna system will be within ladder reach of the ground for various tweaks I anticipate having to make.

Feb 28

The next antenna project.

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I almost forgot to mention this… Today I ordered a Cushcraft MA5B multiband beam from AES.

In the wake of being unsucessful at hitting K5D while the DXpedition was active and talking to a few hams on the radio, I decided to extend my strength in a pileup by going directional. I was looking into another Cushcraft beam and also investigated a Mosley, but had too large of a turning radius for the house I’m renting. The MA5B has a turning radius of 8.8ft which fits in the spot I plan to install.

Once everything arrives I’ll post my findings which I hope are positive (crossing fingers).