EEB 861 - ANTENNA AND WAVE PROPAGATION Dr.

Satyanand Singh

EXPERIMENT NO.3

DIRECTIONAL ANTENNAS
OBJECTIVE: To plot the radiation pattern of a directional antenna. (Polar plot of Azimuth
& Elevation planes on log/linear scales & Cartesian plot on log/linear scales)
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
 Dipole & Yagi (4el) antenna
 Antenna Tripod and Graduated Disc / Stepper Motor pod with connecting cables,
Measuring tape

PROCEDURE:
1. Connect the Dipole Antenna to the transmitter tripod. Set the length of the antenna
elements to λ/4 or 12cm. each from center of the boom. Keep the antenna in horizontal
direction.
2. Now connect the Yagi antenna to the receiver Graduated Disc / Stepper Motor tripod and
set the receiver to 600 MHz.
3. Set the distance between the antennas to be around 1m. Remove any stray objects from
around the antennas, especially in the line of sight. Avoid any unnecessary movement
while taking the readings.
4. Now rotate the Yagi antenna around its axis in steps of 5 degrees. Take the readings in
receiver at each step and note down.
5. Plot the readings on a polar or Cartesian plane.
6. Now replace the Yagi (4el) with a Yagi (3el) antenna and find whether they are
directional antennas or not.

RESULT:
The plot shall form a Major lobe in boresight direction and smaller side lobes in other directions
on polar plane in azimuth. On Cartesian plane the response shall form a big hump and several
smaller ones around it, similar to the one shown in figure below. Thus a Yagi antenna is highly
directional. You should tune a yagi antenna for best gain and front to back ratio. Replacing the
Yagi (4el) with a Yagi (3el), Log periodic, Quad, Axial mode Helix antenna shall result in
similar directional patterns.

1
EEB 861 - ANTENNA AND WAVE PROPAGATION Dr. Satyanand Singh