Ham Radio: 20 dB Free Gain on VHF & UHF

VIDEO:

If you own a multimode transceiver that covers VHF and UHF (SSB and CW as well as FM), sticking to a vertical antenna and FM-only operation means you may be missing a huge chunk of VHF/UHF DX. Switching to a horizontally polarised antenna for SSB, CW or FT8 can effectively give you around 20 dB of advantage over a vertical—enough to turn weak, unreachable stations into workable contacts.

Polarisation is not a subtle detail. When your signal and the other station's signal are cross-polarised (horizontal versus vertical), typical losses are on the order of 20 dB or more. That is a very large reduction in signal strength—equivalent to losing most of your antenna's gain. Many activity nights, contests and random openings on 2 metres and 70 centimetres are dominated by stations using horizontally polarised antennas. If you're transmitting vertically you will often be 20 dB down and without the forward gain a beam provides.

FM and most mobile work tends to use vertical antennas and repeaters, and that’s perfectly fine for local comms. But SSB, CW and many FT8 setups on VHF/UHF are predominantly horizontal. The upshot: if your transceiver supports SSB/CW on VHF/UHF (for example, rigs such as the IC-9700, FT‑991A, IC‑75, FT‑817 and many others), you already have the capability—you just need the right antenna to exploit it.

A compact dual-band Yagi is one of the simplest, most effective upgrades for VHF/UHF DX. These antennas are small, low windage, easy to mount on a short mast and can provide the horizontal polarisation and forward gain that make SSB, CW and FT8 contacts much more likely.

•  Horizontal polarisation: matches the majority of SSB/CW/FT8 stations, avoiding the ~20 dB cross‑polarisation loss.
• Gain and directivity: even a small 3–4 element 2 m beam gives noticeable forward gain and noise reduction.
• Small footprint: fits small yards or short masts and often hand-rotatable.
•  Low cost: many compact designs are inexpensive compared with larger rotatable towers and beams.

Not all small beams are created equal. Look for these practical features when choosing an antenna:

•  Clearly labelled elements (A/B, element numbers) so assembly is straightforward and error-free.
• Solid but lightweight tubing for rigidity with low wind load.
• Quality boom joiners and nuts —nylon locking nuts are a good sign they won’t come loose in the field.
• Robust mast clamp that fits your mast (often up to 2 in) and uses good clamping hardware.
• Weatherproof feed/end socket so the coax connector can be pointed down and kept dry.
• Coupled driven elements if it’s dual‑band—typically the 2 m driven element feeds the 70 cm element via close coupling.
• Reasonable beamwidth —a compact 3–4 element 2 m beam often has a beamwidth around 40–50°, making hand-rotation practical.

Many modern compact Yagis are very well labelled and engineered so assembly is quick. A few practical tips:

• Follow the element markings—A and B markings ensure you can’t fit elements the wrong way round.
• Point the coax connector downwards where possible to reduce water ingress; good designs will have the socket in a plastic housing for extra sealing.
• Use the supplied nylon locknuts or similar locking hardware to avoid loosening during operation.
• If you don’t have a rotator, mount the beam on a short mast you can hand-rotate. With a 45° beamwidth you only need to nudge it 20–30° to try different bearings.
• Start with a general direction (north/south) and adjust during openings—this is a low-cost way to experiment with VHF DX.

Even a small antenna can produce excellent results on an opening. A compact dual‑band Yagi with six elements on 2 m and eleven on 70 cm, for example, offers a slimline profile, low wind load and solid construction while delivering the horizontal polarisation and forward gain you need for DX.

If space or budget is tight, consider alternatives such as a compact 3-element 2 m Yagi or a Diamond five-element 2 m beam. Both are inexpensive and lend themselves to hand-rotation while providing the polarisation and gain improvement over a vertical.

• Try SSB and CW during activity nights and contests—most stations will be horizontal and using those modes.
• Use FT8 on VHF/UHF but remember it often favours horizontal polarisation too.
• When you hear a pileup or band opening, a small horizontal beam can make the difference between being heard and enjoying a long list of DX contacts.

Switching from a vertical to a horizontal compact Yagi for SSB, CW and FT8 on VHF/UHF is one of the simplest, most cost‑effective ways to extend your range and work more DX. The combination of horizontal polarisation and forward gain can deliver around 20 dB of practical improvement—turning marginal signals into workable contacts. A well-built compact dual‑band Yagi is easy to assemble, mounts on a short mast, and can even be hand-rotated. If you want more VHF/UHF action, this upgrade is an excellent place to start.

For more information please visit our online store or alternatively contact us and our team will be happy to assist you.