Log-periodic V array

Forward Gain: 9 to 13 dBd

Radiation Pattern: UNIDIRECTIONAL
Frequency range: 80 MHz to 1 GHz
Polarization: Linear

A modification of the Log Periodic V-Array capable of operating at

higher resonance modes with an increased gain by tilting the elements
toward the apex.
A higher resistance mode is defined as a frequency that is an odd
multiple of the fundamental array frequency.

Log-yag array
Forward Gain: 11.5 dBd
Radiation Pattern:
UNIDIRECTIONAL
Beamwidth: 42

The Log-Yag array, with its added parasitic elements, provides higher gain
and greater directivity than would be realized with the LPDA alone. Yagi
arrays require a long boom and wide element spacing for wide bandwidth
and high gain, because the Q of the Yagi system increases
as the number of elements is increased or as the spacing between adjacent
elements is decreased. An increase in the Q of the Yagi array means that the
total operating bandwidth of the array is decreased, and the gain and frontto-back ratio specified in the design are obtainable only over small portions
of the band.

The log yag system overcomes this

difficulty by using a multiple driven
element call designed in accordance
with the principles of the log
periodic dipole array. Since this log
cell exhibits both gain and
directivity by itself, it is a more
effective wide-band radiator than a
simple dipole driven element. The
front-to-back ratio and gain of the
log cell can then be improved with
the addition of a parasitic reflector
and detector.

Yagi-uda array
a directional antenna commonly used in communications when afrequency is
above 10 MHz. This type of antenna is popular among Amateur Radio and
Citizens Band radio operators. It is used at some surface installations
in satellite communications systems.
There are three kinds of elements (or rods) mounted on a longitudinal
connecting bar or rod. The maximum gain of a Yagi-Uda is limited to an
amount given approximately by the gain of a dipole (1.66 numerical) times
the total number of elements. A single element has maximum gain 1.66 =
2.2dBi, a driving element with a single reflector has maximum gain 3.3
(numerical) or 5.2dBi, a three element antenna consisting of a single
director, driving element, and reflector has maximum gain about 5
(numerical) or 7dBi and a 15 element Yagi-Uda with 13 directors has
maximum gain about 25 (numerical) or 14dBi.

Quad array
Forward Gain: 2 dB over a Yagi
Radiation Pattern: UNIDIRECTIONAL
Radiation resistance: 120

A Quad array is a popular type parasitic

array using rectangular or diamondshaped full-wave wire loop elements. It is use in much the same way as
dipole elements in the Yagi antenna. It consists of a driven loop, one
wavelength in circumference a reflector loop and a director loop.
The 2-element quad has almost the same gain as a 3-element Yagi: about 7.5
dB over a dipole. Likewise, a 3-element quad has more gain than a 3-element
Yagi. However, adding quad elements produces diminishing returns. Quoting
from William Orr, "Whereas parasitic beams having twenty or thirty parasitic
directors are efficient, high gain antennas, it would seem... that maximum
practical number of parasitic loop elements for the quad array is limited to
four or five." (Orr, p. 48)

Pros and Cons Quads & Yagis in 22 points

Technical item
Number of elements

Design

QUAD

YAGI

4 elements*

5 elements*

1 long in loop, parallel,

twice as much radiating
conductor per element

1/2 long parallel elements,

twice as less radiating
conductor per element

Rating
-

10-5

9-10
Gain (to within 5%)

Amplitude of rear lobe

Sensitivity

9.4 dBd at 10m high

reduced,
no need of rejection kit

9.9 dBd at 10m high

10-5
larger, come sometimes with a
rejection kit

Begins earlier, ends later than a not as sensitive as a quad as it

Yagi as each loop is constituted is constituted of a single beam
of 2 stacked dipoles (radiator
(loop)
and reflector)

10-6

10-7
Front-to-Back ratio

higher

lower
10-7

Bandwidth (tuning)

broad with VSWR < 2:1

narrow
10-3

Efficiency near ground

low proximity impedance, thus

low VSWR for full length
models placed as low as 2m
high

affected by proximity of
ground, bad efficiency below
7m high

DX performance

low takeoff angle, even placed

bad near ground with high
near ground, excellent from
takeoff angle, good over 10m
10m high
high

10-3

10-9
Polarization

H or V plane

H plane in HF
9-3

Wind noise

more silent

vibrations placed on roof

10-7

Load wind resistance

much less wind resistance per

element, thus requires a lighter
rotator

high wind resistance per

element, requests usually a
heavy-duty rotator

In areas of rain/snow not

In areas of rain/snow subject

10-3
Electrical effect

subject to capacitance effect,

no precipitation of static

to capacitance effect with

precipitation of static
10-4

Weight

very light (2 kg) using

fiberglass spreaders,
otherwhise exceeds 15 kg for a
2 elements.

heavier (20 to 50 kg for a 5

elements), unless made of
titanium

2x5x5m

11x10x0.1m

simple (no balun, traps,

gamma match, hairpins, etc)

can be complex (balun, traps,

gamma match, etc)

interfere with rotation on

no problem as rotate

non freestanding mast,

requires then a longer mast

only in H. plane

< 3m

2 - 6m

bad, is a 3D object, stealth only

if perpendicular

good at some distance

10-3
Sizing (14 MHz)

10-5
Assembly

2-10

Guy wires
10-2
Turning radius (14 MHz)

Stealthy

2-5

but long elements

to line-of-sight
2-8
Easy of assembling

much harder and longer than a sometimes very easy, nuts &
Yagi, bulky, boom up to 3m
bolts, flat on the ground, but
high in the air
can be large
2-10

Sturdy

can be sturdy but check fixings

of wires, some models might
easily be damaged by ice

maximum (boltened)

Aesthetics (assuming
that an antenna can be
aesthetic)

not fine due to its many

more regular, "finer" on top of
elements and its assembling in
a pylon
3 dimensions

2-10

TOTAL balanced :

168 vs. 115

* Note. One considers that a quad has 2 dB more than a Yagi with the same length boom and the same
number of elements. For this comparison I selected thus two antenna offering almost the same gain.