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Collinear Array

Array Antennas

Several in-line radiators stacked to squash the pattern toward the horizon.

Band: VHF/UHF
Gain: ~6-9 dBi
Polarization: Vertical

Photos

Real-world photo of a Collinear Array in use — Real-world example. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0; Al9X3).

Radiation / wave patterns

Idealized radiation pattern of the Collinear Array — Idealized azimuth radiation pattern (illustrative, generated). Radial scale in dB.

How & why it works

A collinear stacks multiple half-wave radiating sections end to end along a single vertical axis, with phasing sections between them so all sections radiate in phase. Because the elements are aligned and co-phased, their energy reinforces in the horizontal plane and cancels at high angles, flattening the doughnut pattern into a thin disc—more gain toward the horizon while staying omnidirectional in azimuth. Adding sections increases gain but narrows the vertical beam.

Real-world uses

VHF/UHF base stations, repeaters, and commercial land-mobile coverage.