6 Elements
VHF Yagi antenna

FIG.1 shows a 6 elements VHF Yagi "homebrew" antenna designed
with YAGIMAX 3 and made by SV1XY and me with excellent results
on local and satellites contacts.(UO-14, AO-27 etc.)

FIG.1


FIG.2 shows a graph for the SWR, GAIN and F/B ratio.


FIG. 2


The maximum forward GAIN is almost 11.9 DBi (abt 9.8 DBd) into 2 m. Band.
With almost 10 DBd gain, we have an Effective Radiation Power (ERP) 10 times greater of the tranceiver maximum output (without Coaxial-Loss).
For example, if your VHF-Rig has an output Power of 50 Watts, your ERP will be multiplied 10 times = 500 Watts ! (in the forward GAIN direction)
I think not bad for a 6 Elements small-antenna (2.13 m. Boom) !


FIG.3 below shows a table about Gain, F/B, impedance & SWR
between 144 - 146 MHZ ( 2 m. Band)

FIG. 3

The Radiation Resistance on center frequancy (145,000 MHZ) its 17 Ohms. In practice the antenna needs a "matching system" for a 50 Ohms coaxial cable feeder ( H-100, RG-213 or similar).

I have used a "Hairpin" system (FIG. 4), because that is very simple and effective. YAGIMAX antenna design program including a calculation-tool for the Hairpin's dimension, depending upon "data" of the table above (FIG.3)

The Drive Element is an "Open - Dipole" (two pieces of about "Lamda/4")
with overall length 0.961 m. (see FIG.1)

FIG.4 shows the Drive-element (Dipole) and the Hairpin construction on the dipole's plastic box. The gap (spacing) between the two screws is 2.2 cm (dimension B) and the dimension "A" is 4.5 cm for 1:1 SWR (on my antenna).
If you have not the optimum SWR (1:1), you can increase or decrease the "A" dimension a few millimeters, looking for the minimum SWR.

FIG. 4

The antenna has been constructed on a 15 x 15 mm aluminium boom and I have used for the elements aluminium tubular rods of 8 mm diameter. The plastic box that I have used for the dipole it was from an old TV-antenna.
Keep in mind: this antenna has a sharp SWR curve in order to be achieve the highest gain. You must be careful with elements dimensions !
The maximum acceptable variation is ± 2% !

Finally, the FIG. 5 & 6 shows the polar-plots of antenna


FIG.5



FIG.6

Good luck !
Costas SV1XY - Makis SV1BSX