Yet the proper receiving antennas are often the difference between collection of necessary data and receiving no signal. Raising the altitude of the receiving system is the single most efficient means of increasing signal reception. Selection of the proper receiving antennas can increase signal reception often over threefold. Yagi antennas are more directional, i.e., can indicate a more precise direction to the source of a transmitted signal, than any other type of antenna commonly used in radio tracking. AVM's Yagi antennas are optimized for forward gain.
Yagi antennas are available in several configurations and sizes.
The most basic Yagi antenna contains a boom, generally about 1 meter in length. The length of the elements and the spacing between the elements are inverse functions of the frequency at which the antennas are designed, i.e., the higher the operating frequency of the tracking system, the smaller the dimensions of the Yagi. The reflector can always be identified as the longest element. The driven element contains the gamma match, which fine-tunes the antenna, and holds the cable connector for attachment to the receiver. One or more directors are used to increase the gain of the antenna.