Hf Antennas For All Locations Moxon Pdf //top\\ -
Why the Moxon Antenna for “All Locations”?
The Moxon rectangle is a two-element parasitic array that offers:
- High front-to-back ratio (typically 15–25 dB)
- Modest gain (≈5–7 dBi, similar to a 2-element Yagi)
- Small footprint — roughly 30–40% smaller than a Yagi for the same frequency
- Low noise pickup due to balanced feed and tight pattern
Because of these traits, it works well in:
- Small city lots (roof or balcony mounting)
- Stealth or HOA-restricted properties (can be built with wire in an attic or on a frame)
- Portable/field operations (lightweight, easy to rotate)
- Rural stations where a large beam isn’t feasible
Hence the phrase “for all locations” — from crowded urban homes to remote summits.
Example Table from Such a PDF (20m Moxon – Wire Version)
| Parameter | Value (wire dia. ≈2 mm) | |---------------------|--------------------------| | Driven element A | 10.20 m (33.5 ft) | | Reflector element B | 10.65 m (34.9 ft) | | Element spacing | 2.38 m (7.8 ft) | | Wire gauge | 14 AWG (1.6 mm) copper | | Feedpoint Z | 50–65 Ω | | Boom length | 2.38 m (minimal) |
(Cut lengths are approximate — always trim for lowest SWR at your desired frequency.)
Location 2: The Suburban Attic (20m band)
The Challenge: Wood framing, asphalt shingles (lossy at some frequencies), limited turning radius. The Moxon Solution: A 20m Moxon made of aluminum arrow shafts or 14 AWG wire. Because it is only 6 feet tall and 22 feet wide, it fits between the trusses. You can rotate it using a cheap TV rotator because the wind load is negligible indoors. Loss from shingles? Minimal—most users report only 0.5 dB loss, far outweighed by the gain over a dipole.
Location 4: Field Day, POTA, or Emergency Comms
The Challenge: Rapid deployment, low weight, wind tolerance. The Moxon Solution: Use a portable Moxon made from 300-ohm ladder line or aluminum arrow shafts. The entire antenna packs into a 24” tube. Erect it on a 4-section military fiberglass mast. You’ll outperform every dipole and vertical at the field day site, especially on 20m.
Part 7: Where to Find the Ultimate "HF Antennas for All Locations Moxon PDF"
You want a single, downloadable, printer-friendly document. Here is what to look for (or how to assemble your own ultimate PDF):
Part 8: Performance Comparison – Moxon vs. The World
To convince you that the Moxon truly belongs in every HF operator’s arsenal, here is a quick performance matrix (for a 20m antenna at 25 feet height):
| Antenna Type | Gain (dBi) | F/B Ratio | Width | Noise Immunity | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1/4λ Vertical | 0 | 0 dB | Very small | Poor (high noise) | | Half-Wave Dipole | 2.15 | 0 dB | 33 ft | Fair | | 2-Element Yagi | 6 | 15 dB | 18 ft (boom) | Good | | 3-Element Yagi | 7.5 | 20 dB | 24 ft (boom) | Excellent | | Moxon Rectangle | 5.5 | 28 dB | 13 ft (boom) | Excellent | hf antennas for all locations moxon pdf
The Verdict: 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.
Part 7: Tuning the Moxon for Perfection (Without an Analyzer)
Even in a "good" location, a Moxon will be slightly detuned by nearby metal or wet wood. Here is the 30-minute tuning process from the PDF manuals:
- Set height: Mount the antenna at its final operating height (or at least 10 ft off the ground for tuning).
- Check SWR: You should see a dip somewhere close to your target frequency.
- If dip is too high in frequency: The antenna is too short. Add wire length to the driven element ends (the "A" dimension).
- If dip is too low: The antenna is too long. Shorten the driven element.
- Adjust F/B Ratio: This is the Moxon’s superpower. Feed the antenna with a signal. Walk 180 degrees behind the antenna with a handheld receiver (like a Baofeng or RTL-SDR). Adjust the reflector spacing (Dimension E) by 1/4 inch increments until the rearward signal null is deepest. Usually, moving the reflector 1-2% closer to the driver fixes it.
Who This Feature Is For
- Ham radio operators with limited space who want directional gain.
- Portable operators needing lightweight, high-F/B antennas.
- Beginners who find Yagis too complex.
- Experienced builders looking for band‑switching Moxon arrays.
The Moxon Rectangle, popularized by Les Moxon (G6XN) in his seminal book HF Antennas for All Locations, is a compact, two-element directional antenna favored for its high performance-to-size ratio. Core Design Features
Rectangular Geometry: Unlike a standard straight-element Yagi, the Moxon folds the ends of the driven element and reflector toward each other.
Space-Efficient: The folded ends reduce the antenna's width to approximately 70% of a standard two-element Yagi, making it ideal for restricted spaces.
Direct Feed: It typically presents a near-perfect 50-ohm impedance, allowing it to be fed directly with coaxial cable without complex matching networks like baluns or gamma matches.
Critical Gap: The spacing between the ends of the driven element and the reflector (the "gap") is the most critical dimension for achieving its unique performance characteristics. Performance Benefits
Exceptional Front-to-Back (F/B) Ratio: The Moxon is renowned for its high F/B ratio (often exceeding 30-40 dB), which effectively rejects unwanted signals from the rear.
Broad Forward Beam: It offers a wide main lobe (often over 100 degrees), making it more forgiving to aim than a narrow-beam Yagi. Why the Moxon Antenna for “All Locations”
Low Angle of Radiation: When mounted correctly, it provides the low radiation angle necessary for long-distance (DX) communication.
Wide SWR Bandwidth: Especially when constructed with tubing, it maintains a low Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) across a broad frequency range. Common Construction Materials (PDF) Design and Development of UHF Moxon Antenna
Moxon Rectangle is widely regarded as one of the most efficient "small" antennas for HF (High Frequency) communication, especially for radio amateurs with limited space. This design was famously popularized by Les Moxon, G6XN, in his definitive book, HF Antennas for All Locations
, which provides a comprehensive guide for building high-performance antennas in less-than-ideal environments. Internet Archive Why the Moxon Rectangle?
The Moxon is essentially a two-element Yagi antenna with its ends folded inward. This simple modification offers several key advantages:
HF Antennas for All Locations : L. A. Moxon - Internet Archive 21 Mar 2023 —
HF Antennas for All Locations : L. A. Moxon : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. Internet Archive DIY 6 Meter Moxon Antenna: Boost Your Summer VHF Fun! 6 Jun 2024 —
To find the specific "HF Antennas for All Locations" guide featuring the Moxon design, you are likely looking for the work of L.B. Cebik (W4RNL) Moxon Antenna Project
. The Moxon Rectangle is a popular HF antenna because it provides directional gain and a high front-to-back ratio in a footprint 30% smaller than a standard 2-element Yagi. Key Resources and PDF Guides The Moxon Project : The primary hub for Moxon designs, including the Moxon Rectangle Construction Guide , can be found at MoxonAntennaProject.com High front-to-back ratio (typically 15–25 dB) Modest gain
. This site hosts numerous PDF calculators and design models for all HF bands. L.B. Cebik’s Collection : The late L.B. Cebik
wrote extensively on "Moxon Rectangles for All Occasions." His technical papers are the gold standard for understanding the geometry and feedpoint impedance (typically , requiring no matching network). Antenna Programs : For custom builds, the Moxon Calculator
allows you to input your target HF frequency to generate exact wire lengths and spacing. Barrett Communications Why Choose a Moxon for "All Locations"? Compact Footprint
: Its folded-end design makes it ideal for small yards or portable "all location" setups like POTA (Parks on the Air). Directivity
: It offers a very clean pattern with almost no side or back lobes, which helps reduce local noise. Broadband Performance
: Unlike some specialized beams, it maintains a low SWR (typically 1.5:1 or better ) over a wide range, such as 1000 kHz on some bands. Durability
: Because the elements are physically shorter and supported at both ends (forming a rectangle), it is more robust against wind than a traditional Yagi. Quick Design Specs for HF Typical Value ~5.5–6.0 dBi Comparable to a full-sized 2-element Yagi. Front-to-Back Ratio 20–30 dB Exceptional rejection of signals from the rear. Direct coax feed with no tuner needed in many cases. ~70% of a Yagi Fits in restricted spaces or HOA-friendly setups.
For a successful "all location" install, ensure the antenna is mounted at least 1/2 wavelength high
for the target band to optimize the takeoff angle for long-distance (DX) communication. specific wire cutting list for a particular HF band, such as 20m or 10m? EAntenna 8MOX Moxon antenna 8m band - WiMo