To find the specific "HF Antennas for All Locations" guide featuring the Moxon design, you are likely looking for the work of L.B. Cebik (W4RNL) Moxon Antenna Project
. The Moxon Rectangle is a popular HF antenna because it provides directional gain and a high front-to-back ratio in a footprint 30% smaller than a standard 2-element Yagi. Key Resources and PDF Guides The Moxon Project : The primary hub for Moxon designs, including the Moxon Rectangle Construction Guide , can be found at MoxonAntennaProject.com
. This site hosts numerous PDF calculators and design models for all HF bands. L.B. Cebik’s Collection : The late L.B. Cebik
wrote extensively on "Moxon Rectangles for All Occasions." His technical papers are the gold standard for understanding the geometry and feedpoint impedance (typically , requiring no matching network). Antenna Programs : For custom builds, the Moxon Calculator
allows you to input your target HF frequency to generate exact wire lengths and spacing. Barrett Communications Why Choose a Moxon for "All Locations"? Compact Footprint
: Its folded-end design makes it ideal for small yards or portable "all location" setups like POTA (Parks on the Air). Directivity
: It offers a very clean pattern with almost no side or back lobes, which helps reduce local noise. Broadband Performance hf antennas for all locations moxon pdf
: Unlike some specialized beams, it maintains a low SWR (typically 1.5:1 or better ) over a wide range, such as 1000 kHz on some bands. Durability
: Because the elements are physically shorter and supported at both ends (forming a rectangle), it is more robust against wind than a traditional Yagi. Quick Design Specs for HF Typical Value ~5.5–6.0 dBi Comparable to a full-sized 2-element Yagi. Front-to-Back Ratio 20–30 dB Exceptional rejection of signals from the rear. Direct coax feed with no tuner needed in many cases. ~70% of a Yagi Fits in restricted spaces or HOA-friendly setups.
For a successful "all location" install, ensure the antenna is mounted at least 1/2 wavelength high
for the target band to optimize the takeoff angle for long-distance (DX) communication. specific wire cutting list for a particular HF band, such as 20m or 10m? EAntenna 8MOX Moxon antenna 8m band - WiMo
Popularized by Les Moxon (G6XN) in his book HF Antennas for All Locations, the Moxon antenna is a compact, two-element rectangle designed for high performance in restricted spaces, providing roughly 70% of the footprint of a standard dipole. Known for high front-to-back ratios and a 50-ohm match, this design is ideal for portable, SOTA/POTA, or limited-space HF operations. View the original text at Internet Archive.
HF Antennas for All Locations : L. A. Moxon - Internet Archive To find the specific "HF Antennas for All
The Moxon Rectangle: Principles and Applications for HF Communications
This paper explores the design and practical application of the Moxon Rectangle, a two-element parasitic array originally developed by Les Moxon (G6XN). Characterized by its unique folded-end geometry, the Moxon antenna offers a compact footprint approximately 70% of the length of a standard dipole while maintaining high front-to-back ratios and a nearly 50-ohm feedpoint impedance. This study synthesizes the technical foundations laid out in Moxon's seminal work, HF Antennas for All Locations, and examines modern implementations for portable and fixed HF stations. 1. Introduction
High-frequency (HF) antenna design often involves a trade-off between gain, size, and bandwidth. The Moxon Rectangle addresses these constraints by utilizing a "rectangle" of wire or tubing, where both the driven element and the reflector have ends folded toward each other. This configuration provides directional properties comparable to a two-element Yagi but in a significantly smaller physical area, making it ideal for "all locations," including space-restricted urban environments and portable field operations. 2. Design Principles and Geometry
The Moxon antenna consists of two primary parts: a driven element (slightly less than half the rectangle) and a reflector (slightly more than half).
Folded Elements: By folding the ends, the antenna's overall width is reduced. The critical factor is the air gap between the tips of the driven element and the reflector; this gap controls the capacitive coupling that defines the antenna’s performance.
Dimensions: Standard designs typically yield a feedpoint impedance close to 50 ohms, often eliminating the need for complex matching networks. A Word on Baluns The Moxon is a balanced antenna
Polarization: The antenna can be oriented horizontally for general DX or vertically for low-angle radiation without the need for extensive radial systems. Moxon antenna designer
The Moxon is a balanced antenna. If you feed it directly with 50-ohm coax and the antenna is perfectly symmetrical, you may get away without a balun. However, for all locations except perfectly free-space, use a 1:1 current balun (common mode choke) at the feedpoint to prevent the coax from becoming part of the antenna. A stack of 31 ferrite beads over RG-400 is your best friend.
The most common question: “Can a Moxon cover all HF bands?”
The direct answer: No single Moxon can cover 80m through 10m due to the physics of element lengths. However, a fanned Moxon or switchable Moxon array comes close.
Even in a "good" location, a Moxon will be slightly detuned by nearby metal or wet wood. Here is the 30-minute tuning process from the PDF manuals: