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To
determine if an antenna is normal (gain) or if it falls into the
supergain category, let the antenna be enclosed in the smallest
sphere that just surrounds all of the antenna elements. The maximum
gain that can be developed by an antenna operating in the normal
range is:
Gnmax
= (1*PI*A/Lam)2+ 4*PI*A/Lam
Where A is the radius of the enclosing sphere, and
Lam is the wavelength. This equation is plotted in
the graph shown below.
A 2 element yagi beam with its elements spaced at .1 wavelength
occupies a radius essentially the same as a ½ wave dipole -
a ¼ wavelength radius - so the maximum normal gain is around
7.4 dBi (Shown in red). Since the measured gain of the 2 element
Raibeam (with .1 wavelength element spacing) is 8.2 dBi it definitely
falls into the supergain region.
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