Some Model Quads

L. B. Cebik, W4RNL
As a result oI a number oI requests that I have received Ior models oI quads Irom my Iiles, I thought that I
might make a batch available all at once. Actually, I shall divide the material into 3 sections: Iull-size 2-
element quads, shrunken 2-element quads, and multi-band quads oI 2 or more elements. My collection
lacks some interesting types, such as a good model oI the Swiss quad.
I shall not be adding modeling Iiles per se, but I shall add some model descriptions that one can transcribe
into any modeling soItware Iormat. Not many descriptions are necessary, because virtually all models are
constructed in the same manner. Initially, all models begin in a Iree space environment. Each loop is
centered on a 0, 0 X (or Y) and Z axis. The loop corners are then deIined.
For square loops with bottom wires parallel to the ground, a coordinate set consists oI two entries, each
one-halI the side dimension, with or - signs as dictated by the particular corner oI the loop. Hence, the
upper leIt corner oI a loop with 9' sides will use -4.5, 0, 4.5 as X, Y, and Z coordinates.
Diamond loops require that one multiply one-halI the length oI a side by 1.414 to arrive at the peak, which
will then be at either the X (or Y) or the Z coordinate when the other is zero. The same loop as above, but
turn to a diamond conIiguration, would use Ior the top coordinates 0, 0, 6.36.
The "unused" coordinate, oI course, receives the spacing dimension between elements. Simple monoband
quads can set any element to zero and count Irom that point. Multi-band spider-hub quads oIten use a
zero-center point to best advantage. Once one has one element complete and correct, ne may then use an
appropriate copy mechanism to replicate the element, changing coordinate numbers (or letters, iI symbolic
entry is used) to account Ior dimensional diIIerences.
Once the loops have been constructed in a Iree space environment, adjustment Ior height above ground is
a simple matter oI changing all Z-coordinates by the same amount. OI course, the amount will be the
height above ground iI the height represents the loop center. Other adjustments may be needed iI the
height represents the bottom oI the lowest wire.
Despite a Iew remnant protestations Irom a Iew quad designers, antenna modeling programs have proven
very eIIective and accurate Ior designing and analyzing quads. All programs have some limitations, so let's
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note the most important ones.
MININEC 3.13, the core oI such programs as ELNEC, AO, and NEC4WIN, has a problem with corner-
clipping as segment centers tend to give the eIIect oI linking and ignoring the small increment to the actual
corner junction or pulse. The standard method Ior reducing this eIIect to negligible amounts is length
tapering. Length tapering can be manually or automatically implemented, and the automatic systems can
be visible or invisible to the user who does not look at the post-run wire tables Ior the antenna. It is a
process oI reducing the length oI segments gradually as corners are approached so that two conditions are
met. First, the segments closest to the corner are very short without exceeding the minimum segment
length, either absolutely or relative to wire diameter. Second, the changes in length Irom one segment to
the next are within the boundaries set Ior accurate output Irom the core.
NEC (-2 or -4) (as Iound in programs like NECWires, EZNEC, and NEC-Win) does not require length-
tapering at corners, since the currents are taken Irom the entire segment. However, NEC has two
limitations to note. First, angular junctions oI wires having diIIerent diameters yield inaccurate results. This
is no problem Ior the standard wire quad loop. However, some quad design use large diameter tubular
horizontal members and vertical wires to connect them. NEC has a problem with this conIiguration.
Second, NEC requires that the source be placed on a segment, which presents problems to corner Ieed
points, such as might occur on a diamond shaped quad. We shall look at the alternatives Ior handling this
situation as we proceed through the models.
The initial monoband quads will all be Ior 10 meters. In most instances, I shall not express dimensions in
terms oI equations oI the order "L 1234/I" since the required length oI a quad loop will vary with the
wire diameter on any band. The Iatter the wire, the larger the quad loop Ior the same resonant Irequency.
ThereIore, unless one adjust the wire size as well as the length, scaling will be imperIect. Since the models
will use #14 AWG copper wire (0.064" diameter"), direct diameter scaling makes Ior unlikely assemblies
(Ior example, #10 AWG on 20 meters based on the use oI #14 AWG on 10 meters).
With these reservations in mind, we may look not only at the models, but at their characteristics as well.
The exercise will provide some useIul expectations oI various kinds oI quads (but by no means all kinds),
including recognition oI what may be misleading about showing only peak data without the remainder oI
the data curves across a band oI intended operation. We shall also Iind some easy ways out oI a Iew
seeming blockades to achieving desired perIormance curves. In the last part, we shall take up the question
oI remotely switching stubs as a Ieed system Ior multi-band quads.
1. Full-Size 2-Element Quads
2. Variations and Comparisons
3. Shrunken 2-Element Quads
4. Multi-Band 2-Element Quad Beams
4a. Alternative Common Feeds for Multi-Band 2-Element Quad Beams
4b. Stacking 2-Element, 5-Band Quads
5. Monoband Quads of More Than 2 Elements
5a. Further Notes on 3-Element Quads
6. Larger Multi-Band Quads
7. Feeding Multi-Band Quads
The Iollowing books should be required reading Ior anyone interested in large or small quads:
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William Orr, W6SAI, and Stuart Cowan, W2LX. Cubical Quad Antennas, 3rd Ed. Lakewood, NJ:
Radio Amateur Callbook, 1993
Bob Haviland, W4MB. The Quad Antenna. Hicksville, NY: CQ Communications, 1993
John Koszeghy, K2OB. High Performance Cubical Quad Antennas, 2nd Ed.
Updated 4-2-99, 8-5-2000. / L. B. Cebik, W4RNL. Data mav be used for personal purposes, but mav
not be reproduced for publication in print or anv other medium without permission of the author.
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