Yagi antenna calculator (DL6WU)

About

This calculator works out the dimensions of a Yagi using the DL6WU design. The Yagi-Uda is the most popular directional antenna on VHF and UHF. The calculator applies the boom correction and accounts for the different ways of mounting the elements.

Drawn to scale from the current figures; tube thickness is shown symbolically. All distances are from position «0» (the reflector).

Standard frequencies
Operating frequency		MHz
Number of elements		pcs
Type of driven element
Element cross-section
Element diameter		mm
Boom shape	Round Square
Boom side		mm
How the elements are mounted
Units

Notes:

Standard frequencies: pick one from the list, or type your own.
Driven element shape: a folded dipole matches better (75 Ω); a split dipole comes out around 50 Ω.
Element section: round elements are easier to make, flat ones perform slightly better.
Boom section: round or square changes the correction.
Element mounting:
- Option 1: elements bonded to a metal boom (the simplest build)
- Option 2: elements insulated from the boom (better performance)
- Option 3: a dielectric boom, or elements standing clear of it (best performance)
Units: results can be shown in millimetres, centimetres or metres.
The minimum is 3 elements (reflector + driven element + 1 director).
The maximum is capped at 20, for practical reasons.
The boom diameter should not exceed 9 % of a wavelength.
The boom correction follows the DL6WU algorithm.
Gain comes from empirical formulas and is an approximation.
For final tuning, use an SWR meter and an antenna analyser.

How to cite this calculator

UR3PKI. «Yagi antenna calculator (DL6WU)». CyberDev.Space. https://cyberdev.space/en/radio/calculators/antennas/yagi (licence CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).

The licence lets you use this material freely, including in teaching materials, but only with attribution to the author and a link to the source.