is perhaps the most versatile and efficient antenna design available.
The , also known as the Moxon Rectangle , is a two-element parasitic array, a type of directional antenna originally presented in Moxon's book. It is electrically equivalent to a two-element Yagi–Uda antenna, but with its elements bent into a distinctive rectangular shape. This clever geometry is its defining feature, enabling it to achieve a compact footprint without sacrificing core performance.
The overall physical width of the front element.
It is roughly 30% smaller than a standard two-element Yagi, making it ideal for limited spaces.
Antenna fundamentals and practical constraints Antennas convert radio-frequency currents into radiated electromagnetic waves and vice versa. Their effectiveness is determined by length relative to wavelength, radiation pattern, impedance, bandwidth, height above ground, nearby structures, and feedline losses. In HF, wavelengths range from 100 m (3 MHz) to 10 m (30 MHz), making full-size resonant antennas physically large. Most real-world operators cannot deploy full-size half-wave dipoles at ideal heights. Constraints fall into several categories: hf antennas for all locations moxon pdf
For decades, the gold standard has been the free utility by A.C. Legere (AC5EK) called the or online calculators like k7mem.com . You input your desired frequency (e.g., 14.150 MHz), wire diameter, and it outputs:
Telescopic fiberglass fishing poles serve as an excellent, lightweight framework. Operators arrange four poles in an "X" shape from a central hub to support a wire Moxon array.
Folding the elements reduces the total width to roughly 70% of a comparable two-element Yagi. Deployment Across All Locations
If you would like to proceed with planning your own antenna project, let me know: Your primary target or bands of interest. is perhaps the most versatile and efficient antenna
The Moxon is a balanced antenna. If you feed it directly with 50-ohm coax and the antenna is perfectly symmetrical, you may get away without a balun. However, for all locations except perfectly free-space, use a at the feedpoint to prevent the coax from becoming part of the antenna. A stack of 31 ferrite beads over RG-400 is your best friend.
Whether you prefer a or a lightweight portable design .
Because the turning radius is small, operators can rotate an urban Moxon using light-duty television antenna rotators or simple manual push-poles. 2. Suburban Properties and Small Yards
Connect an antenna analyzer to the feedline. Look for the lowest SWR point. This clever geometry is its defining feature, enabling
The Moxon yields 91% of a 2-element Yagi’s gain but with superior front-to-back in half the space. For crowded bands, the F/B ratio is more important than 1 dB of gain.
Because of these traits, it works well in:
For those who want a comprehensive resource on building and optimizing Moxon antennas, we've created a downloadable PDF guide. This guide includes: