Circularly Polarized

Yagi Antennas
for Satellite
Communications

Jim shows us how he makes satcom antennas on a semi shoestring budget.

Jim Kocsis, WA9PYH

B
ack in 1985 my big interest was VHF two ways that CP eliminates signal fades: tem configuration of my CP Yagis. Note that
weather satellites. To get a really good, It mitigates fading due to spin modula- I have elected to use a folded dipole as the
clear picture as the satellite neared tion that occurs as the satellite turns. driven element (DE). This has a feed point
the horizon you needed a circularly polarized  CP eliminates the effects of Faraday impedance of 200 Ω. A 4:1 balun (balanced
(CP) Yagi antenna designed for a frequency of rotation as signals pass through the iono- to unbalanced transition) is used to trans-
137 MHz and pointed at the satellite. I built one sphere. form the balanced 200 Ω impedance to 50 Ω
and got rock crushing signals until the satellite If a linearly polarized antenna is used on unbalanced for a coax feed. This is done
went over the horizon — it worked great! the satellite and the ground station, the signal using a 1⁄2 wavelength section of 50 Ω coax
will fade as the satellite polarization rotates connected as shown. Circular polarization is
Amateur Satellites (vertical through to horizontal). I witnessed accomplished by adding a second Yagi to the
Appear on the Horizon this firsthand years ago while trying to hear boom at a right angle to the first and positioned
Around 2000 my interest turned to VHF AO-10 with a single plane 2 meter Yagi. back 1⁄4 wavelength behind the first Yagi.
and UHF amateur satellites. After several When the polarization of the signal matched The two antennas are then connected
years of mediocre performance from a single my antenna, signals were strong. When the through multiple 1⁄4 wavelengths of 75 Ω
seven-element 2 meter Yagi, I decided to signal polarization rotated, the signal dropped coax to a T connector. The 75 Ω sections per-
improve my antenna situation. I decided that out completely — only to return again in form another impedance transformation. The
I needed CP Yagis for 70 cm and 2 meters to a few seconds. With a CP antenna there is lengths of the 75 Ω sections and the 1⁄4 wave-
get good signals from the SSB low earth orbit much less fading because any rotation results length spacing provide the proper phasing of
(LEO) satellites. in a constant signal level. the signals to generate a CP signal. The two
In this article I will show you how I built For a full explanation of each concept see 100 Ω feed points are connected in parallel
my own CP Yagis for much less than the cost The Satellite Handbook, page 4-2.1 at the T connector to result in a 50 Ω system
of new antennas. impedance. It looks like a complex way to get
System Design to 50 Ω but it’s simple and it works.
Why Circular Polarization? See Figure 1 for a view of the basic sys- I used chapter 9 of The ARRL UHF/
CP is very effective at eliminating signal Microwave Experimenter’s Manual, pages
fading both to and from the satellites. There are 11Notes
Notes appear
appearon
onpage
page35.
6-16. 9-3 through 9-8 to determine the element
32 May 2010 QST
Antenna System Projects    6-13
lengths and spacing along with the dimen- you have the needed mechanical skills and and all directors and reflectors for 70 cm,
sions of the DE for a 70 cm CP Yagi, with equipment. are built of 1⁄4 inch diameter aluminum tub-
elements electrically connected to and side I used insulated through the boom construc- ing. One source I found is MSCDirect. I also
mounted on the boom.2 If you use the same tion for the 2 meter Yagi (see Figure 3) and on found 1⁄4 inch tubing for my antennas available
element diameter, boom size and mounting the boom construction on the 70 cm antenna locally in 12 foot lengths. Check the classi-
methods for each antenna you can use the (see Figure 4). The dimensions in Tables 1 and fied directory in your area for suppliers of the
dimensions shown in Tables 1 and 2. 2 reflect those methods using a 3⁄4 inch square aluminum tubing. Lowe’s offers 1⁄4 inch solid
boom. For the through the boom method, shoul- aluminum rod in 36 inch lengths for $3. This
Materials Needed der washers are needed to insulate the elements will work for a 70 cm antenna but will make it
There are no impossible to find parts in from the boom. Nylon shoulder washers are heavier. The solid rod elements will, however,
these designs. If you have a well-stocked junk available at a very low price from MSC (www. resist bending much more than tubing.
box of mechanical parts, attend hamfests and mscdirect.com). Insulating washers made The coaxial connectors, 75 Ω and hard
have one or more local home improvement from Celcon are preferred as they withstand line coax are available at many hamfests
stores nearby, you can also build these anten- UV (sunlight) better, if you can find a source. I’ve attended recently. The Type N bulkhead
nas at low cost. Tubing in 3⁄4 inch size is available from www. connectors must be able to accept solder. A
First things first. These antennas will be onlinemetals.com. They also have 1⁄4 and silver finish is required. I’ve seen many at
much easier to build if square tubing is used 3
⁄8 inch diameter round tubing available. hamfests that are very shiny. The surface is
for the boom. It is very difficult to drill holes The DEs for 2 meters are built using not silver and the connectors may not work
at an exact location on a curved surface unless 3
⁄8 inch diameter aluminum tubing. The DEs in this application since solder will not adhere

Figure 1 — Diagram of the interconnection

of two driven elements to result in a
circularly polarized signal. As shown, the
2 meter version is RHCP and the 70 cm is
LHCP. To change polarization sense, move
feed coax to other side of balun loop.

QST May 2010 33

6-14 Chapter 6
Table 1
2 Meter Seven Element Yagi
Dimensions (inches)
Distance
Element Length from Reflector
Reflector 485⁄8
Driven Element 383⁄8 15
Director 1 361⁄2 213⁄8
Director 2 361⁄8 3515⁄16
Director 3 353⁄4 533⁄8
Director 4 355⁄16 733⁄4
Director 5 351⁄16 961⁄2

Table 2
70 cm 10 Element Yagi
Dimensions (inches)
Distance
Element Length from Reflector Figure 2 — Fabrication details of the mounting brackets needed for the 70 cm antenna.
Reflector 165⁄8 Two are required.
Driven Element 123⁄4 5
Director 1 12 73⁄16
Director 2 117⁄8 12
Director 3 1113⁄16 177⁄8
Director 4 1111⁄16 2411⁄16
Director 5 111⁄2 325⁄16
Director 6 117⁄16 401⁄2
Director 7 111⁄4 491⁄8
Director 8 113⁄16 581⁄16

to them. Used silver connectors may be tar-

nished but they will work fine as long as there
is no damage to the center pin, insulation or
threads. I have listed a source on the QST In
Depth Web page that provides non silver con-
nectors that will accept solder.3

Construction Steps
The assembly of the first plane is easy.
Adding the second is a bit more difficult
since the first plane of elements will get in
your way. Drill all the holes for both planes
before you begin assembly. Add the DE Figure 3 — Elements mounted to boom of 2 meter antenna. The director with Celcon
insulator and stud/rod detent washer are clearly visible, as is the driven element feed
(minus the balun and connector) last as it has point with plastic plate.
parts that can be damaged during installation.
If at all possible, get a helping hand to hold
the antenna while you’re adding elements or
suspend it from the ceiling inside your garage determine what reflector and director
with rope at one end while providing support lengths can be cut from each length of
at the other end from underneath to position tubing to minimize waste. Make a chart
it at a comfortable working height. of the calculated lengths such as the one
With the offset between the antennas in Table 3 and switch things around until
and the element spacing it is likely that there waste is minimized. Table 3 shows the
will be a conflict between an element in one lengths I cut from each 12 foot length of
plane and an element in the other plane with 1
⁄4 inch tubing to minimize waste. Cut them
both needing to occupy the same location to length and mark the center of each element
on the boom. Of course that’s not possible, clearly with a pencil or marking pen.
so the solution is to move one ahead a very
small distance and the other back a small Making the Driven Element
distance. There will not be a noticeable loss The folded dipole DE construction is
in performance with these small changes in the most difficult part of making this Yagi.
position. Calculate the total length of tubing required
(including the radius at each end) then add 4
Minimizing Waste and Securing to 5 inches. Mark the center point of the DE. Figure 4 — Detail of a 70 cm director
Elements to the Boom Before making the first DE, practice bending mounted to the boom showing clamps,
Once you’ve decided on a tubing source, some scrap pieces of tubing so that you will washers and metal tapping screws.
34 May 2010 QST

Antenna System Projects    6-15

Table 3
Minimizing Waste from 10 Foot Sections for 2 Meter Elements (inches)
Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 (90”)
353⁄4 Director 3 361⁄2 Director 1 485⁄8 Reflector 485⁄8 Reflector
353⁄4 Director 3 361⁄8 Director 2 355⁄16 Director 4 361⁄2 Director 1
35 ⁄16
5
Director 4 36 ⁄8
1
Director 2 35 ⁄16
1
Director 5
13 waste 11 ⁄4 waste
1
1 waste 5 waste

Phasing Harness and effect on the antenna should be even slightly

Offset Spacing less than that shown on Kent’s graphs.
This is probably the I wanted to have a robust structure at the
hardest part to explain, junction of the cross boom and each anten-
visualize and understand na’s boom. Any metal in the field can affect
and so deserves some of the performance of the antenna so instead of
your time to study and the typical metal plate and four U bolts, I used
understand it. The pur- several PVC 90° fittings, a PVC T fitting and
pose of the phasing har- short sections of PVC pipe jointed together
ness and offset spacing is with glue. The two 90° fittings at the antenna
to feed the signal from the must be cut off along one side approximately
transmitter equally to both half way so that the boom of the antenna can
halves of the antenna, but slip in place. A stainless steel hose clamp
Figure 5 — View of the PVC support assembly for the phased so that the signal at each end grips the antenna boom tightly.
70 cm antenna. is launched in a circular Figure 5 shows the 70 cm antenna with this
pattern with the correct support.
sense of rotation. I accom-
know where to start the bend so the com- plished it by offsetting the two antennas Performance
pleted bend is located properly. Note how it 1⁄4 wavelength for LHCP then adding a These antennas provide strong signals
slips through the bender and slightly changes 1⁄2 wavelength in one leg to reverse it to from the satellite as it travels all the way down
the point at which the bend occurs compared RHCP. Figure 1 shows the placement and to a few degrees above the horizon. They’ve
to where you expected it. orientation of all parts that affect polariza- been up for more than 4 years, have survived
This is a very important point. This slip- tion sense. numerous wind gusts above 60 mph, show
page will affect the final length of the DE no sign of failure and work as well as the day
after making the second bend. Allow a few Supporting the CP Yagi Antennas they went up.
extra inches of tubing at the end of the first I’ve read a few discussions about what
bend then put the tubing in the bender for the happens to the performance of Yagi antennas Notes
second bend. Another very important point — when a metal cross-boom is used for support. 1S. Ford, WB8IMY, The ARRL Satellite

make sure that the second bend is in the same The cross-boom (the long cross pipe that Handbook. Available from your ARRL
dealer or the ARRL Bookstore, ARRL order
plane as the first bend! If the second bend is goes between the two antennas) can skew the no. 9857. Telephone 860-594-0355, or toll-
out of the plane, the DE will be twisted and pattern and will affect the circularity of the free in the US 888-277-5289; www.arrl.org/
become scrap – not that I ever did that. waveform of a CP antenna. One solution is shop; [email protected].
2Out of print, but available at www.amazon.
to use fiberglass rod or tubing since it is not com.
The 4:1 Balun metal. A single 8 foot length costs over $80 3www.arrl.org/qst-in-depth

The balun is constructed from RG-141, with shipping. A little more research on the 4www.g6lvb.com/fibermetalboom.htm

50 Ω hardline, for 70 cm and RG-59/U for Web led me to a site with an article written
2 meters. All junctions are coated with a by Kent Britain, WA5VJB.4 ARRL member Jim Kocsis, WA9PYH,
sealer to keep out water and dust. was first licensed in 1964 as WN9LDB. He
Kent ran some experiments to determine earned his General class license in 1965 and
Notice that on the 70 cm antenna the the effects of placing a metal mast at various upgraded to Amateur Extra class in 1986. He
feed line going to the coax T fitting exits locations along the boom of a single plane is a member of AMSAT and is active on the
the antenna at the rear and on the 2 meter Yagi. He also varied the angle between the satellites when not homebrewing something.
antenna the feed line exits forward toward plane of the antenna and the cross-boom. It is Jim’s other interests are casual DXing, CW on
the support cross boom. I did this because the very interesting reading but the bottom line is HF, low power CW, especially during Field
coax and T junctions are large compared to a that a properly placed metal pipe that reaches Day, non-competitive bicycling, cooking and
wavelength at 70 cm but smaller (about 1⁄3 the only the antenna boom (it doesn’t go entirely reading travel essays. He has homebrewed
size) at 2 meters. I routed the feed lines this “through” the antenna) and is positioned at small projects his entire ham career, including
UHF weather satellite downconverters and
way because I felt that the presence of a large 45° to the plane of the antenna will have very antennas.
object in the plane of the antenna could pos- little effect on the gain or pattern. Jim received a degree in physics from
sibly distort the pattern at 70 cm but would A section of 11⁄4 inch outside diameter Indiana University in 1976 and is employed
be less of a problem at 2 meters. Fabrication (OD), 1 inch ID, PVC tubing with 7⁄8 inch as a test engineer at Honeywell Aerospace.
details for the brackets needed to support the OD steel conduit inside for stiffness, is used You can reach Jim at 53180 Flicker Ln,
70 cm balun are shown in Figure 2. to support each Yagi near the center of mass South Bend, IN 46637 or at sadiekitty@
sbcglobal.net.
to eliminate any torque on the elevation rota-
tor. The steel conduit doesn’t extend all the
way to the antenna boom — it’s spaced a few
inches back inside the PVC T fitting so the
QST May 2010 35

6-16 Chapter 6