[TowerTalk] quad ant

[Bill Turner W7TI]

On Sat, 16 Jun 2001 18:00:43 -0700 (PDT), James Smith wrote:

>I'm thinking about getting a quad antenna two element 5 band 20 - 10m.
>does anyone owen one and if so what's the good and bad points of it.
>
>Tnx ... Jim n7ppf 

_________________________________________________________

I've had both quads and yagis and had good luck with both.

Here are some things to consider:

1.  A quad is a three dimensional object, where a yagi is two
dimensional.  This makes a quad MUCH more difficult to assemble
and install, especially a large one like 20 meters.  A yagi can
just be laid on the ground during assembly; for a quad you'll
have to build some kind of support, and when it's up on the
support, you'll be working up on a 14 foot ladder.  Not fun.  And
a 14 foot ladder isn't cheap, either.  Also, when you go to lift
it up, do you have any friends with 14 foot arms?  This last item
can be worked around with various ropes and pulleys off the
tower, but again, it will be more difficult.

2.  A quad uses wire for elements; wire is weak compared to
aluminum tubing.  I live in an ice-free area.  If I lived where
there was ice, I wouldn't even consider a quad.  BTW, I've never
had a broken wire yet (knock on wood).

3.  A quad has greater SWR bandwidth although there are schemes
such as dual driven elements which can significantly broaden the
yagi.

4.  A yagi looks better, IMO.  :-)

5.  The old story about quads being cheap and easy may be true if
you use bamboo for the spreaders, but top quality fiberglass
spreaders are expen$ive.  A quad of equal performance to a yagi
will cost about the same.  Obviously there are variables here;
this is a generalization.  The four element, three band quad I
have now cost about $1000.

6.  If I had to start from scratch and do it all over again,
which would I choose?  A yagi, mainly for mechanical reasons.
Electrically I think the quad is superior, but the disadvantages
outweigh the advantages, IMO.

There - that should fan a flame or two...

73, Bill W7TI

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