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(http://www.on8im.be/en/19-building-antennas/90-dual-band-4-element-cubical-quad-antenna.html) (/fr/)

A Dual Band 4 element Cubical Quad Antenna Main menu

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cubical (/en/component/tags/tag/46-cubical.html)
PROPAGATION

Modelling, building and measuring a 4 VOCAP online

(/en/propagation/vocap-
element Dual Band Cubical Quad online.html)

antenna (6m-4m). Tropo Ducting Forecast

(/en/propagation/tropo-

Methodology adopted :
conducting-forecast.html)

1) Make your antenna choice according to your exeptations and your attempted utilization.
2) When done, search for what already exists.
3) Model the antennas found, then optimize them. I use for this the MMANA-GAL software Antennas
(free) (download MMANA-GAL here) (http://gal-ana.de/basicmm/en/). Chose the modelized
antenna who gives your best expectations. --> HOMEMADE

4) Build this antenna. Homebuilt Antennas

5) Install this antenna into a environnement witch is the most favourable to take your (/en/homemade/homebuilt-
measurements. antennas.html)
5) Make your measurements with a correctly calibrated Vectorial Network Analyser - Look at Antenna stuff
the official site of NanoVNA (https://nanovna.com/) (In addition, where possible, (/en/homemade/antenna-
measurements will be made in the same conditons as those chosen for your modelling). stuff.html)
6) Compare your measurements with the results obtained by software modelling. --> STATION
7) If needed, make physical correction to the antenna , re-modeli, re-measure until you're ANTENNAS
satisfied. Logperiodic Antenna DJ2UT
(/en/station-antennas
/logperiodic-antenna-
1st Step : dj2ut.html)
Diamond X-7000
(/en/station-antennas
Model with MMANA-GAL software the existing descriptions of the 4 elements cubical quad
/diamond-x-7000.html)
antennas given into the publications of L.B. Cebik (W4RNL), William I.Orr (W6SAI), Carl O.
Receiving VHF.UHF
Jelinek N6VNG.
repeaters (/en/station-
The modelling-based antennas gived very similar results. Each model have been optmized
antennas/diamond-x-7000
several times.
/receiving-vhf-uhf-
The here given dimensions below are derived from the several opizations (gain, F/B/ SWR) repeaters.html)
made with MMANA-GAL software. --> MMANA-GAL
SOFTWARE
Perimeter of the loops (in mm)
Illustrated examples
REFLECT. RAD. D1 D2 (/en/mmana-gal/antenna-
50.2MHz 6288 6128 5740 5753 analysing-illustrated-
70.2 MHz 4616 4436 4356 4292 examples.html)
Antenna Files (/en/mmana-
gal/antenna-analysing-
antenna-files.html)
--> 6 METER
Spacing REFL.-RAD. = 1228 mm My Homebuilt 50Mhz
Spacing REFL.-D1. = 1798 mm antennas (/en/6-
Spacing REFL.-D2 = 2752 mm meter/homebuilt-antennas-
50mhz.html)
=> : Download the MMANA-GAL file here (/images/mmana
/4%20elements%20cubical.maa) (right mouse button: save as)

(*) MMANA-GAL users : for 50.2 MHz source w11c - for 70.2 MHz source w17c

SSeettttiinnggss M
MMMA
ANNA
A--G
GAALL ::
VLF
• Calculation above real ground (not on freespace); soil conductivity chosen with world
atlas of conductivities (World atlas of ground conductivities (hamwaves.com)
(https://hamwaves.com/ground/doc/ground-conductivity-atlas.vlf&mf.pdf)). I make a ANTENNES ACTIVES
modelling above real ground because I do my measurements above a real ground.
Active antenna PA0RDT
(Now,... if the NASA wants to take to the space my antennas for free and make my
(/en/active-antenna-
measurements, I have no objection!)
pa0rdt.html)
• I set a soil conductivity of 30 mS/m (just of curiosity, I made modelling with other
Antenne PA0RDT : les
conductivity values,there was little difference between the results, excepted for sea
fondamentaux
water)
(/en/antenne-pa0rdt-les-
• Antenna height : 7 mètres
fondamentaux.html)
• Wire jauge for the loops : fence aluminium wire diameter 2 mm
Active antenna Solar
• Modelling doesn't include the boom, cross arms structure,loop roots, mast and roof.
Whipper (/en/active-
Many modelling have been made with/without those neighbouring objects with little
antenna-solar-
difference into the results, so I didn't included them.
whipper.html)
PRESELECTEURS RX
A 10kHZ - 600 kHz

Step 2 : building the antenna

preselector (/en/a-10khz-
600-khz-preselector.html)
LF-MF preselector for the
The hardware is coming from a hobby store.
Kenwood TS-2000
Cross arms and structure are made with aluminium corners and "U" profiles,In order to
(/en/ps-2000-preselector-
ensure that the cross arms are square and reinforced, I use flat iron strip 1 cm wide, they will
for-lf-mf.html)
be painted and coated with epoxy resin.
Screews and bolts are M5 satinless steel. ANTENNES 136 KHZ

Aluminium fence wire 2 mm diameter Généralités antennes

136kHz (en
Roots are made with hardwood dowel dia.12mm, painted and coated with epoxy resin.
construction...)
(/images/cubical4/cubical_qaud_on8im_2.jpg) (/en/theorie-antennes-
136khz.html)
RECEIVED SIGNALS
Grimeton Radio 17200
Hz (/en/grimeton-radio-
17200-hz-unday.html)
Alfa navigation signals
(/en/received-vlf-
signals.html)
Reception DCF49 signals
(/en/reception-dcf49-
signals.html)
Marine forecasting 147
KHz (/en/maritime-
forecasting-147-khz.html)
QRSS and WSPR QRG's
(/en/qrss-and-wspr-qrg-
s.html)
QRSS Mode (/en/qrss-
mode.html)
SMT Hell (/en/smt-
hell.html)
DFCW & FSKCW
(/en/dfcw-fskcw.html)
QRSS-3 screen capture
Galery (/en/qrss-
3-screen-capture-
galery.html)

Digimodes
Configurations Hardware
(/en/hardware-
 configuration.html)
Multimode Software
Package (/en/multimode-
software-package.html)
My frequently used
Digimodes
(/en/digimodes.html)

Untranslated
Issues
Hamradio Issues
(/en/issues.html)

Step 3 : MMANA-GAL modelling,

NanoVNA measurements & compare the
results

Loop 50.2 MHz

M
Mooddeelllliinngg M
MMMA
ANNA
A--G
GAALL
N
NaannooVVN NA Am meeaassuurriinngg ccoonnddiittiioonnss ffuullllyy rreessppeeccttiinngg tthhee ccoonnddiittiioonnss sseett ffoorr tthhee
m
mooddeelllliinngg

• Device Under Test (DUT) height : 7 m

• Neighbouring objects at least 10m from the DUT
• VNA connected directly to the loop , connection the computer via a 10 meter USB cable.
• Software nano-VNA Saver v 0.2.2
• VNA calibration :
• STIMULUS START : 49.5 MHz
• STIMULUS STOP :51.0 MHz
• CALIBRATION : RESET – CH0 OPEN – CH0 SHORT – CH0 LOAD – CH0 ISOLN (NO
LOAD) + CH1 I(LOAD)
• SAVE 0
• Connectors SMA + adapter -> N (is included into the calibration)

Measurements are made with a unbalanced loop feed (coax connector directly connected to
the loop).

M
MEEA
ASSU
URREEM
MEEN
NTTSS @
@5500..22 M
MHHzz

• Sweep start : 49.5 MHz

• Sweep stop : 51 MHz

Impedance : Software v/s Measurement @50.2 MHz

• MMANAGAL : 50.2-j0.0253 Ω
• Mesure NanoVNA : 50.69+j.0759 Ω

PPlloottss M
MMMA
ANNA
A--G
GAALL aanndd iim
mppeeddaanncceess ffrroom
m 4499..9955M
MHHzz ttoo 5500..4455M
MHHzz

SSooffttw
waarree rreessuullttss vv//ss m
meeaassuurreedd vvaalluueess
 Freq MMANA— NanoVNA
(MHz) GAL
49.95 45.3 - 45.57 -
j12.2 Ω j10 Ω
50.075 47.8 - j6 Ω 48.11 -
j4.79 Ω
50.2 50.2 - 50.69 +
j0.0253 Ω j0.759 Ω
50.325 52.6 + j5.5 53.41 +
Ω j6.41 Ω
50.45 54.9 + 56.51 +
j10.9 Ω j12.3 Ω

M
MMMA
ANNA
A--G
GAALL :: rreessoonnaannccee

N
NaannooVVN
NAA :: rreessoonnaannccee m
meeaassuurreem
meenntt
Marker @ 50.186 MHz

RReessoonnaannccee :: ssooffttw
waarree vv//ss m
meeaassuurreem
meenntt @
@5500..22 M
MHHzz

MMANA-GAL F.RES 50.203 MHZ Z = 50.2 - j253 10-4 Ω

NANOVNA F.RES 50.186 MHZ Z = 50.41 – j876 10-4 Ω

SSm
miitthh C
Chhaarrtt ((SSW
WRR cciirrcclleess iinncclluuddeedd))

M
MMMA
ANNA
AGGA
ALL :: SSW
WRR ccuurrvvee
N
NaannooVVN
NAA :: SSW
WRRm
meeaassuurreem
meenntt

So�ware: Forward Gain (DBi) & F/B (dB)

LOOP 70.2 MHz
Modelling MMANA-GAL
NanoVNA measuring conditions fully respecting the conditions set for the modelling

• Device Under Test (DUT) height : 7 m

• Neighbouring objects at least 10m from the DUT
• VNA connected directly to the loop , connection the computer via a 10 meter USB cable.
• Software nano-VNA Saver v 0.2.2
• VNA calibration :
• STIMULUS START : 69 MHz
• STIMULUS STOP :72.0 MHz
• CALIBRATION : RESET – CH0 OPEN – CH0 SHORT – CH0 LOAD – CH0 ISOLN (NO
LOAD) + CH1 I(LOAD)
• SAVE 0
• Connectors SMA + adapter -> N (is included into the calibration)

Measurements are made with a unbalanced loop feed (coax connector directly connected to
the loop).

MEASUREMENTS @70.2 MHz

• Sweep start : 69.0 MHz

• Sweep stop : 72.0 MHz

IIm
mppeeddaannccee :: ssoottffw
waarree vv//ss m
meeaassuurreem
meenntt @
@7700..22M
MHHzz

� MMANA-GAL : 50.2-j0.0253 Ω
� Mesure NanoVNA : 12.57+j.2.84 Ω

Plots MMANA-GAL and impedances from 69 MHZ to 72 MHz

Software results v/s measured values

Freq (MHz) MMANAG—GAL NanoVNA

69.8 63.3 – j13.0 Ω 11.48 - j16 Ω
70.0 56.8 – j8.5 Ω 12.22 – j7.15 Ω
70.2 48.7 – j2.2 Ω 12.57 + j2.4 Ω
70.4 39.6 + j6.8 Ω 13.31 + j13.8 Ω
70.6 30.6 + j18.6 Ω 14.31 + j25.8 Ω

MMANA-GAL : resonance

NanoVNA : resonance measurement

Marker @70.167 MHz

Résonance : software v/s measurement

MMANA-GAL F.RES 70.274 MHZ Z = 45.37 – j0.8206 Ω

NanoVNA F.RES 70.1476 MHZ Z = 12.45 – j34 10-4 Ω

A
Abbaaqquuee ddee SSm
miitthh ::

Marker @70.167 MHz

SSooffttw
waarree :: SSW
WRR
N
NaannooVVN
NAA :: SSW
WRRm
meeaassuurreem
meenntt

SSooffttw
waarree :: FFoorrw
waarrdd Gain (DBi) & F/B (dB)
RREEM
MAARRKKSS ::

• @70.2 MHz a clear differnce about impedance (&SWR) is observed between software
results and measurements
• About resonance there is a ∆=126KHZ between software results and measurements,
• I observed in several calculations @70.2 MHz, if I leaved the 50 MHZ loop open, there
was a difference in regard of the same modelling with the 50 MHz loop closed.
• Inversely, in calculations @50.2 MHz this difference is not so important(see table below)

calculation 1 @70.2 MHz with 50 MHz loop open

calculation 2 @70.2 MHz with 50 MHz loop closed

calculation 3 @50.2 MHz with 70 MHz loop open

calculation 4 @50.2 MHz with 70 MHz loop closed

I have no explanation (not yet) but

she would like to know a re-modelling of this antenna with other softwares (NEC, 4NEC2) and
see if whe have the same differnces.

In the present study case, this antenna is principaly purposed to be used on the begining of
the 6 meter band, the use of the 4 meter band constitutes a balanced and realistic
compromise about forward gain and F/B ratio (this applies for all the multiband cubal quad
using common loops).

STEP 4 : feeding the antenna

FEEDING THE 50.2 MHz LOOP

The measured SWR for the 6m band is 1.02:1 thus a balancing of the antenna feed system is
only needed to avoid a disorsion of the Far field pattern due to the unbalance of the coaxial
cable.

Easy UNBAL to BAL solutions

• Use 1 :1 UN/BAL current balun

• Use a gamma match
 • Use coaxial stubs

I used coaxial stubs.

Illustration : (from ARRL Antenna Book)

How it works :

The purpose is to obtain 2 currents in opposed phase to feed the loop. We send simultany a
current trough 2 coaxial lines, the second coax line is 1/2 wave (180°) longer, so the current is
1/2wave (180°) later then the current into the first coax line. The 2 currents are phased 180°
each of other.

After installation of those stubs on the antenna, I re-measured all on 50.2 MHz : resonance &
SWR remains unchanged.

A alterned method.

FEEDING THE 70.2 MHz LOOP

The gamma match method adapt the impedance and balance the feed of the loop.

To calculate tour gamma match see link :

Microso� Word - N6MWGamma4.doc (nonstopsystems.com)

(h�ps://www.nonstopsystems.com/radio/pdf-ant/ar�cle-antenna-magloop-gamma-
6MW.pdf)
Figure and dimensions

Note :

Diameter of both wires are identical.(aluminium fence wire diameter 2mm).

The variable condensator can be replaced by a open piece of coaxial cable .
The value of C (pF/m) is given by the cable manufacturer or can be measured with a
capacimeter.

STEP 5 : Measurement of the antenna

patern & antenna Gain
"Le diable n'avait pas encore de terrain, et il y plantait déjà l'arbre"

Measuring the antenna patern

I use for this a software called Polarplot created by G4HFQ , it can be dowloaded
here G4HFQ Radio Programming So�ware (h�ps://www.g4hfq.co.uk/) .

Al the explanations are given in the help file of the program.

H
Hoow
w II uusseedd PPoollaarrpplloott..

I have taken h = 1λ & D = 10λ

There are other many methods.

Example: Relevé du diagramme de rayonnement d'une antenne yagi 144 (pagesperso-

orange.fr) (https://f5zv.pagesperso-orange.fr/RADIO/RM/RM34/RM34h/RM34h03.html)

You can use your DIY field meter, thsi will give you already a good evaluation of your antenna
caracteristics.

Best 73's ON8IM

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