Ham Radio Extra Class Practice Test

Which type of antenna is most suitable for long-distance communication (DXing)?

1. Ground Plane Antenna

2. Directional (Yagi) Antenna

3. Dipole Antenna

4. Vertical Antenna

The correct answer is: Directional (Yagi) Antenna

A directional antenna, such as a Yagi antenna, is specifically designed to focus radio frequency energy in a particular direction, which greatly enhances its ability to communicate over long distances, known as DXing. This focusing of the signal allows for improved gain and better communication quality with distant stations compared to non-directional antennas. The Yagi configuration consists of multiple elements, typically a driven element, a reflector, and one or more directors, which work together to increase the antenna's effective gain in the desired direction. This gain results in a stronger signal being transmitted and a better ability to receive signals from far-off stations, making it the preferred choice for long-distance communication tasks. In contrast, the other types of antennas mentioned—though they each have their own merits—are not optimized for long-distance point-to-point communication in the same way. A ground plane antenna, while beneficial for vertical polarization, is more suited for local communication. A dipole antenna offers a good balance for various conditions but lacks the directionality and gain that a Yagi can provide. A vertical antenna is also useful but generally has a more omni-directional radiation pattern, which may not be ideal for targeting specific distant stations.