[TowerTalk] Raibeams & "Supergain"

[wa4dou@juno.com]

Hi All,
  I've seen the ads in QST for the Raibeam RB-36x, Triband yagi. I also
noted the use of the
word "Supergain" frequently. Some new phenomonon? Or is "Supergain" just
another
example of  modern day razzle dazzle? 

  L.A. Moxon, G6XN, in his book "HF Antennas for all locations" states
that most amateur beams
are of the "supergain" type(meaning that they are of the "subtractive"
rather than "additive" gain
type). It would appear that there is nothing new here. 

  When i look at the ad, all i see are three 2 element yagis on a common
short boom. All driven
elements are fed separately. Am i missing something here? The quad is a
"low Q" antenna, this
is the principal reason that it is a "quieter" antenna. How the Raibeam
can be "as quiet as a quad"
is beyond me. 

  Moxons book challenges some old notions, provides a lot of "food for
thought" and some new 
ideas, concepts and explainations. I recommend it highly. As for me, i've
given up on most of the
amateur antenna manufacturers, as regards their "claims." Better
estimates of performance are
to be found in the antenna manuals. 

  73 de Roy Lincoln WA4DOU
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