Approximately how long is each side of the reflector element of a quad antenna?
A. Slightly less than 1/4 wavelength
B. Slightly more than 1/4 wavelength
C. Slightly less than 1/2 wavelength
D. Slightly more than 1/2 wavelength
So lets look at what a “quad antenna” entails. As you might have guessed from the name, the antenna design has four sections to each element. Most often its arranged in a pair of squares. See the multi-band quad in the image. Each pair of squares is for a different band or frequency range. It’s a directional antenna, also, with the signal aimed “through” the pair of square sections. The design is basically a hybrid of a “loop” and a “yagi.”
Without going into too much detail. Lets say that we want our antenna to resonate more or less a full wavelength. But, enter the QUAD. So if we take that full wavelength, which is often very long, and divide by four, we get 1/4 wavelength.
However, you need that piece to resonate the desired 1/4 wavelength. If its too short, you won’t get there. If its just a bit too long, though, you’ll be able to get it really close. After all, what antenna isn’t a compromise?
Therefore the answer is B. Slightly more than 1/4 wavelength
[G9C15]
Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%90%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%B0_(20.01.2011)_-_panoramio_-_%D0%95%D0%B2%D0%B3%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D0%9A%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8B%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%B2.jpg