Updated: Dec 9, 2025 | Source: 2023-2027 Question Pool | Topic: G9C
G9C05G9C

What is the primary effect of increasing boom length and adding directors to a Yagi antenna?

Deep Dive: G9C05

The correct answer is A: Gain increases. The primary effect of increasing boom length and adding directors to a Yagi antenna is that gain increases. More directors and longer boom create more forward gain. For amateur radio operators, this is why longer Yagis have more gain. Understanding this helps when designing Yagi antennas.

Why Other Answers Are Wrong

Option B: Incorrect. Beamwidth doesn't increase - it decreases (narrows) as gain increases. Beamwidth increase is wrong. Option C: Incorrect. Front-to-back ratio doesn't decrease - it typically increases with more elements. Decrease is wrong. Option D: Incorrect. Resonant frequency doesn't get lower - it stays roughly the same (determined by element lengths). Lower frequency is wrong.

Exam Tip

Longer boom + more directors = gain increases. Think 'L'onger 'B'oom + 'M'ore 'D'irectors = 'L'arger 'G'ain. More directors and longer boom create more forward gain. Not beamwidth increase, not F/B decrease, not lower frequency - just gain increases.

Memory Aid

Longer boom + more directors = gain increases. Think 'L'onger 'B'oom + 'M'ore 'D'irectors = 'L'arger 'G'ain. More directors and longer boom create more forward gain. Primary effect of adding elements.

Real-World Example

A Yagi antenna: Adding more directors and increasing boom length increases the forward gain. A 3-element Yagi might have 7 dBi gain, while a 10-element Yagi might have 15 dBi gain. More elements and longer boom create more gain - this is the primary effect. Gain increases with more directors and longer boom.

Source & Coverage

Question Pool: 2023-2027 Question Pool

Subelement: G9C

Reference: 2023-2027 Question Pool · G9 - Antennas and Feed Lines

Key Concepts

Yagi antenna Boom length Adding directors Gain increase

Verified Content

Question from the official FCC General Class pool. Explanation reviewed by licensed amateur radio operators and mapped to the G9C topic.