Comparative Analysis of Directional Antenna of 2-Meter Amateur Band for Ham Radio Applications

Abstract

VHF Directional Antenna is not easily found in the Philippine market. Supplies of this kind of antenna are expensive that can only be purchased directly from the manufacturers. Ham Radio operators usually build, modify, and perform experimentation on the directional antenna to achieve higher dB gain for DXing activities. In this study, we use the 3- effective directional antenna for comparability analysis. Its performance is needed in long-range communication of 2-meter amateur band application. The 4NEC2 software was used to simulate the radiating pattern and other properties of each directional antenna. Simulation of the antenna with 3, 7, and 13 elements resulted in substantial proof, describing the better usage of the loop feed-in directional antenna system. It would result in a higher dB gain with longer antenna boom length. However, the MOX-GI design is comparable to a Yagi-Uda directional antenna in both boom length, and dB gain. MOX-GI antenna exhibits good impedance and lowers SWR reading which is desirable for easy home brewing directional antenna.