Log-periodic antenna 530–6000 MHz

The 530–6000 MHz log-periodic antenna covers everything above UHF: service channels, 868 MHz ISM, 2.4 and 5.8 GHz. One directional antenna replaces a set of narrowband ones and never needs retuning — wherever in the band the signal sits, the antenna is already listening.

This is the compact model in the range: 305 × 260 mm against 500 × 430 mm for the 300–6000 MHz version, at half the price. If your frequencies start at 600–700 MHz and up, the larger board buys you bandwidth you will not use.

What lives in 530–6000 MHz

• 700, 800 and 900 MHz — mobile networks, service channels, 868 MHz ISM
• 1.2 and 1.3 GHz — analogue and digital FPV channels
• 1.5 GHz — satellite navigation signals
• 1800 and 2100 MHz — mobile bands
• 2.4 GHz — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FPV, telemetry, control links
• 5.2 and 5.8 GHz — Wi-Fi and the main FPV band

Below 530 MHz the antenna does not work. That matters if your job involves 433 MHz (telemetry, LoRa, remotes), 446 MHz PMR, the 430–440 MHz amateur band or the lower DVB-T channels from 470 MHz — those need the 300–6000 MHz version.

Why the board is this size

The longest element of a log-periodic antenna sets its lowest frequency: it has to be roughly half a wavelength. At 530 MHz the wavelength is about 566 mm, so the longest element works out at about 283 mm. That is where the 260 mm width at the bottom of the board comes from.

It is not an arbitrary figure: going down to 300 MHz stretches the wavelength to a metre and the element to half of that, and the board inevitably grows and costs more. This model's compactness is a direct consequence of where its band starts.

Direction instead of power

A log-periodic antenna listens where it points and hears markedly less from the sides and behind. In a crowded urban spectrum that often matters more than gain: the neighbouring transmitter that was swamping your reception simply falls outside the main lobe. Rotating the antenna also tells you the direction to a source — a basic move in radio monitoring.

Who it suits

• SDR receivers and transceivers — scan the spectrum without swapping antennas
• FPV: 1.2, 2.4 and 5.8 GHz ground stations on a single antenna
• radio monitoring and direction finding
• lab benches and RF equipment testing
• portable kits where weight and size count

Construction

The antenna is built on a printed circuit board: the log-periodic conductor structure is calculated so each section works on its own part of the band. Printing delivers what a production run needs most — repeatability: the next unit performs like the last one, with no hand-picked elements.

The board carries an RF connector area and mounting holes, so it can go on a bracket, into an enclosure or inside your own product. The flat shape travels well and mounts easily on a mast.

Measurements

We measured this antenna's radiation pattern in an anechoic chamber and published it in full: the report with 2D and 3D plots rotates and zooms straight in the browser. The figures in the specification come from our own bench, not from a supplier datasheet.

Need a lower band? See the 300–6000 MHz log-periodic antenna. Need an omnidirectional pattern instead of a directional one? The catalogue has broadband disc antennas. Not sure which fits — send us the conditions and we will advise.