{"id":2309,"date":"2022-10-17T04:20:50","date_gmt":"2022-10-17T04:20:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/?post_type=epkb_post_type_1&#038;p=2309"},"modified":"2025-06-30T20:07:38","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T20:07:38","slug":"yagi-uda-array","status":"publish","type":"epkb_post_type_1","link":"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/knowledge-base\/yagi-uda-array\/","title":{"rendered":"Step-by-Step: Modeling Basic Yagi-Uda Arrays for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Master Yagi-Uda simulation in AN-SOF! This quick guide walks you through modeling a 3-element array (reflector, driven element, director). Analyze radiation patterns with professional results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction to Yagi-Uda Antennas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Yagi-Uda antenna, commonly called simply &#8220;Yagi,&#8221; is a directional antenna array developed in 1926 by Japanese researchers Hidetsugu Yagi and Shintaro Uda. This elegant design consists of three key elements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A&nbsp;<strong>driven element<\/strong>&nbsp;(typically dipole)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reflectors<\/strong>&nbsp;(usually 1-2 elements)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Directors<\/strong>&nbsp;(multiple elements)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Through careful spacing of these elements, Yagis achieve high directivity and gain in one direction while being relatively simple to construct. They revolutionized radio communication and remain popular today for applications ranging from TV reception to amateur radio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Yagi-Uda Simulation Basics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you&#8217;ve mastered <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/knowledge-base\/cylindrical-antenna\/\" title=\"\">cylindrical antenna<\/a><\/strong> basics, let&#8217;s progress to antenna arrays. This guide walks you through simulating a classic <strong>3-element Yagi-Uda design<\/strong> (<strong>Fig. 1<\/strong>) featuring:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Director<\/strong>&nbsp;(front element)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Reflector<\/strong>&nbsp;(rear element)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Driven element<\/strong>&nbsp;(center dipole)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"811\" height=\"342\" src=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Fig15-8.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2313\" style=\"width:531px;height:224px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Fig15-8.png 811w, https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Fig15-8-300x127.png 300w, https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Fig15-8-768x324.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 811px) 100vw, 811px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Fig. 1: Yagi-Uda array geometry definition (coordinates in meters).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.antennasimulator.com\/examples\/AN-SOF_3ElYagi-UdaArray.zip\">Download Model<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Simulation Setup<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Frequency Configuration<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/knowledge-base\/specifying-the-frequencies\/\" title=\"\">Setup tabsheet &gt; Frequency panel<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set:&nbsp;<strong>300 MHz<\/strong>&nbsp;(UHF range ideal for Yagis)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Environment Settings<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/knowledge-base\/defining-the-environment\/\" title=\"\">Environment panel &gt; Ground Plane<\/a><\/strong>: Select&nbsp;<strong>None<\/strong>&nbsp;(standalone array)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/knowledge-base\/defining-the-excitation\/\" title=\"\">Excitation panel<\/a><\/strong>: Confirm&nbsp;<strong>Discrete Sources<\/strong>&nbsp;is active<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Building the Array<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Element Construction<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Draw each wire individually (as in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/knowledge-base\/cylindrical-antenna\/\" title=\"\">cylindrical antenna tutorial<\/a><\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use coordinates from <strong>Fig. 1<\/strong> for precise spacing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Segment Configuration<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Uniformly set for all elements:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Segments:&nbsp;<strong>15<\/strong>&nbsp;(balanced accuracy\/speed)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Radius:&nbsp;<strong>5 mm<\/strong>&nbsp;(typical for UHF)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Source Attachment<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Right-click&nbsp;<strong>driven element<\/strong>&nbsp;&gt;&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/knowledge-base\/the-source-load-toolbar\/\" title=\"\">Source\/Load\/TL<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/knowledge-base\/adding-sources\/\" title=\"\">Connect voltage source<\/a><\/strong> to&nbsp;<strong>center segment<\/strong><br><em>(Pro Tip: Middle placement ensures symmetrical excitation)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Running &amp; Analyzing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Execute Simulation<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click&nbsp;<strong>Run Currents and Far-Field (F10)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Observe&nbsp;<strong>8.7 dBi peak gain<\/strong>&nbsp;in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/knowledge-base\/the-results-tab\/\" title=\"\">Results tab<\/a><\/strong> (<strong>Fig. 2<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Radiation Pattern<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/knowledge-base\/plotting-3d-far-field-patterns\/\" title=\"\">Far-Field 3D Plot<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;to visualize:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Forward-directive beam (<strong>Fig. 3<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Characteristic side\/null patterns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d0b477a7143&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d0b477a7143\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1103\" height=\"193\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/AN-SOF_3ElYagiUda_Results.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13425\" srcset=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/AN-SOF_3ElYagiUda_Results.png 1103w, https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/AN-SOF_3ElYagiUda_Results-300x52.png 300w, https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/AN-SOF_3ElYagiUda_Results-1024x179.png 1024w, https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/AN-SOF_3ElYagiUda_Results-768x134.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1103px) 100vw, 1103px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Fig. 2: Results tab showing 8.7 dBi peak gain for the Yagi-Uda array.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"525\" src=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Fig15-10.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2326\" style=\"width:491px;height:377px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Fig15-10.png 684w, https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Fig15-10-300x230.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 684px) 100vw, 684px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Fig. 3: Yagi-Uda array gain pattern (dBi) at 300 MHz.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why This Matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Teaches fundamental array principles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Demonstrates directional gain enhancement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provides baseline for more complex designs<br><em>(Try modifying element spacing\/numbers to see performance changes!)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">See Also:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/knowledge-base\/front-to-rear-and-front-to-back-ratios\/\" title=\"\">Front-to-Rear and Front-to-Back Ratios: Applying Key Antenna Directivity Metrics<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"772\" src=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TonyGolden.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12956\" style=\"width:95px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TonyGolden.jpg 800w, https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TonyGolden-300x290.jpg 300w, https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TonyGolden-768x741.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"font-size:24px;\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author has-text-color has-black-color\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__byline\">About the Author<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">Tony Golden<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:7px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"font-size:15px;\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-biography\">RF ENGINEER &amp; PHYSICS PH.D. With 25+ years in Computational Electromagnetics, I\u2019m a passionate researcher focused on antenna modeling and design. As Founder of Golden Engineering LLC, I develop accessible, high-performance simulation tools that help RF engineers optimize their designs, educators teach complex concepts, and hobbyists bring antenna projects to life.<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Have a question?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udcac <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/tawk.to\/tonygolden\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ask me<\/a><\/strong> | \ud83d\udce7 <strong><a href=\"mailto:tony@antennasimulator.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Email me<\/a><\/strong> | \ud83c\udf10 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/comm\/mynetwork\/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&amp;followMember=tonygoldenansof\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Follow me<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignfull is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-4b2eccd6 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/subscribe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>DOWNLOAD TECHNICAL COMPENDIUM<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/resources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>REQUEST AN-SOF TRIAL<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Master Yagi-Uda simulation in AN-SOF! This quick guide walks you through modeling a 3-element array (reflector, driven element, director). Analyze radiation patterns with professional results.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2326,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"epkb_post_type_1_category":[37],"epkb_post_type_1_tag":[107,83,87,102],"class_list":["post-2309","epkb_post_type_1","type-epkb_post_type_1","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","epkb_post_type_1_category-step-by-step","epkb_post_type_1_tag-antenna-lab","epkb_post_type_1_tag-blog","epkb_post_type_1_tag-directional","epkb_post_type_1_tag-yagi"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/epkb_post_type_1\/2309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/epkb_post_type_1"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/epkb_post_type_1"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2309"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/epkb_post_type_1\/2309\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13428,"href":"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/epkb_post_type_1\/2309\/revisions\/13428"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"epkb_post_type_1_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/epkb_post_type_1_category?post=2309"},{"taxonomy":"epkb_post_type_1_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antennasimulator.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/epkb_post_type_1_tag?post=2309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}