Ham Radio General Class Practice Test

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Approximately how long is each side of a quad antenna reflector element?

Slightly less than 1/4 wavelength
Slightly more than 1/4 wavelength
Slightly less than 1/2 wavelength
Slightly more than 1/2 wavelength

The correct answer is: Slightly more than 1/4 wavelength

In a quad antenna, the reflector element is designed to reflect incoming signals and enhance the antenna's gain. The length of the reflector element is critical for its effectiveness. It is typically set to be slightly more than 1/4 wavelength of the frequency for which the antenna is designed. This length ensures that the element effectively reflects signals and improves the overall performance of the antenna. A length slightly less than 1/4 wavelength would not provide the necessary reflective properties, while a length of slightly less than 1/2 wavelength might lead to undesired radiation patterns and could potentially act as another radiating element rather than serving its purpose as a reflector. Similarly, a length slightly more than 1/2 wavelength is not suitable, as it does not align with the design requirements for reflector elements in quad antennas. The specific length adjustment beyond 1/4 wavelength is carefully calculated to optimize the performance attributes without compromising the antenna's design.