New Bent Element Yagi technology tested

FORCE 12 have produced the first Bent Element LFA2 series Yagi by G0KSC.

The version pictured below is an 8.9 metre (29.4 feet)
7-element LFA2 (Loop Fed Array) which has the reflector end sections bent towards the loop which increases F/B and shows improvements in bandwidth/SWR.

With an SWR of less than 1.1:1 from 50 to 50.5 MHz, over 12.8dBi forward gain and a massive 43dB F/B, this antenna is set to be a winner when it goes into production and carries all of the low-noise properties of all LFA Yagis so will be as popular as ever in city and noisy locations.

This is the first in a line of LFA2 Yagis, other models include directors as well as the reflectors having bends within their length to enhance performance. In addition, some models have more than one reflector too. By bending the ends of the reflector towards the loop feed system, F/B is increased by a massive 5dB over a straight reflector. In addition, SWR response becomes much flatter.

The Amateur Antenna industry (commerical and otherwise) has proved achieving good gain levels are easy with the 30 year old software packages still being used for 'computer optimisation'. However, the very latest software modelling technology is required in order to see accurate results from an antenna such as the LFA2.

Gain is easy to achieve, however, maintaining gain while achieving flat SWR, good F/B, good Bandwidth and maintaining stability when in wet and adverse weather conditions is not commonplace, even with the most reputable of well-known Ham antenna providers.
If you want it all, you need an LFA!

Watch the FORCE 12 website for further models and release dates of this and other pioneering LFA designs or give Mark N5WEB a call at FORCE 12 for more infromation. www.force12inc.com.

If you would like to build this or a similar antenna yourself, all the build information you need is available for free at the G0KSC antenna site, www.g0ksc.co.uk