Antenna Type | Gain |
Rubber duck | -4.0 (loss of 4 dB) |
Ground plane | 1 |
Dipole | 2.15 |
5/8 wave | 3.3 |
J-pole | 2.5 |
Extended J-pole (2 section colinear) | 5 - 6 |
Comet GP-3 (lowest band) | 4.5 |
Comet GP-6 (lowest band) | 6.5 |
Comet GP-9 (lowest band) | 8.5 |
2 element yagi | 5.5 - 6.5 |
3 element yagi | 7 - 8 |
4 element yagi | 8 - 9 |
5 element yagi | 9 - 11 |
6 element yagi | 11 - 12 |
7 element yagi | 12 - 13 |
8 element yagi | 12.5 - 13.5 |
10 element yagi | 14 |
15 element yagi | 15 |
Single quad loop | 4.1 |
2 element quad | 8 - 9 |
3 element quad | 9 |
4 element quad | 9 - 10 |
5 element quad | 10 - 11 |
8 element quagi | 13 |
15 element quagi | 15 |
2 stacked yagis or quads | 3 over that of one yagi or quad |
The gain figures shown above are for antennas away from ground, trees, houses, and other objects. The rubber duck is assumed to be at shoulder level. The figures for yagis and quads vary due to element thickness, element separation, and other factors which change with different manufacturers or engineering desires
Note that a gain of 5 dB results in changing from a rubber duck to a ground plane antenna. In general, quads give better results at low elevations than yagis.
Remember to subtract 2.15 dB if it is desired to get the gain over that of a dipole antenna (dBd)
Designs for shortened antennas using loading coils offer savings in space, but have reduced gains over full length antennas.