The History of the Cubical Quad Antenna for Ham Radio

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 Thanks to Peter Waters (G3OJV) for this fascinating history of the Cubical Quad antenna--an antenna created, at first, to solve a mystery at the international broadcaster HCJB.

What was once an emergency fix for a "melting antenna" has become a popular, easily-made antenna for the amateur radio community.  Quads can be made for almost any ham radio band, including HF, VHF, and UHF.

Peter discusses both the theory and practical application of this "classic" antenna from the 1940s.

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVNUQWJeilM.

Thanks for joining us today.

Russ (KH6JRM/AL0HA).

Here are some comments from Peter (G3OJV):

he story of how the Cubical Quad antenna came into being is a fascinating one. It was created out of necessity following an emergency call for help from radio station HCJB back in the early 1940s. HCJB was located high on the mountains of Ecuador. Their new upgraded 10Kw transmitter was literally setting their antenna system on fire. As a result, this Christian radio station (in the words of W9LZX) "received divine intervention. This "intervention" heralded the birth of a new and unique antenna. It was given the title of "Cubical Quad," and the word spread quickly among the Ham Radio community. Was it a genuine antenna with amazing gain or simply a hoax? We take a look at how this antenna was conceived and developed. 00:00 - Opening 00:53 - The Birth Place 01:27 - The Power Increase 02:18 - How the antenna began to nelt and catch fire. 04:58 - The Emergency Call. -5:50 - The Concept of the New Antenna. 06"40 - The Loop is born. 07:26 - Would this new design work? 08:09 - Ham operators test it out 08:40 - How much gain and F/B ratio? 11:28 - Feeding the Antenna 12:30 - Angle of radiation. 13:56 - The physical structure. 17:03 - Multiband design 19:08 - Dimensions 19:52 - The Mini Quad 22:43 - Is it worth the effort?
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