The Extended Lazy-H antenna is one of amateur radio’s classic multiband wire antenna designs, combining simplicity with reliable multiband performance. First published in the October 1955 issue of QST magazine, this antenna was intended to provide efficient HF operation using balanced construction and open-wire feed line.
Despite its age, the design remains practical today and continues to perform well when paired with modern ladder line and antenna tuners.
What is the Extended Lazy-H Antenna?
The Extended Lazy-H is a balanced wire antenna consisting of two horizontal elements separated vertically and fed at the center. When viewed from the side, the layout resembles a stretched or “lazy” letter H, which gave the antenna its name.
In the original QST article, each horizontal leg measures approximately 43 feet, with a vertical spacing of about 21 feet between the upper and lower wires at the feed point. This configuration extends each side beyond a half-wave on the lower HF bands, allowing the antenna to operate on multiple frequencies.
Why the Extended Lazy-H Works
The effectiveness of the Extended Lazy-H comes from its balanced design and the use of open-wire feed line. Open-wire line has significantly lower loss than coaxial cable when operating at high standing wave ratios, making it well suited for non-resonant multiband antennas.
Key advantages include:
- Low feedline loss across multiple HF bands
- Balanced current distribution
- No traps, coils, or loading components
- High power-handling capability
When used with a balanced antenna tuner, the antenna can be matched efficiently on several HF bands.
Construction Considerations
Construction of the Extended Lazy-H is straightforward and well within the capabilities of most radio amateurs. Attention should be given to maintaining symmetry in the antenna geometry and feed system.
Basic construction parameters include:
- Two horizontal wire elements approximately 43 feet in length
- Vertical spacing of approximately 21 feet at the feed point
- Open-wire or ladder-line transmission line
- A balanced antenna tuner or equivalent matching network
- Proper end insulation and non-conductive support materials
As with most HF antennas, performance improves with increased height above ground, subject to local constraints and safety considerations.
Lazy-H antenna –Multiband HF Performance
On lower HF bands, the Extended Lazy-H behaves similarly to a conventional dipole, producing a broadside radiation pattern suitable for regional communication. As frequency increases, the antenna develops additional lobes, which can be advantageous for DX operation.
Operators commonly report stable tuning, good signal reports, and relatively quiet receive characteristics compared to coax-fed antennas of similar size.
Electrical Characteristics and Operating Principles
The antenna is not intended to be resonant on a single band. Instead, it relies on balanced operation and low-loss transmission line to achieve acceptable efficiency over a range of frequencies.
Open-wire line exhibits significantly lower loss than coaxial cable when operating under high standing wave ratio conditions. This characteristic allows the Extended Lazy-H to be matched effectively on multiple HF bands using a balanced antenna tuner, while minimizing feedline losses.
Key electrical characteristics include:
- Balanced current distribution at the feed point
- Low feedline loss across a wide frequency range
- Absence of traps, coils, or other lossy components
- High power-handling capability
Lazy-H antenna –Radiation Characteristics and Performance
On the lower HF bands, the radiation pattern of the Extended Lazy-H is similar to that of a conventional half-wave dipole, with maximum radiation broadside to the antenna. At higher frequencies, the antenna develops multiple lobes as its electrical length increases, resulting in more complex radiation patterns.
These characteristics can provide useful coverage for both regional and long-distance communication, depending on operating band, antenna height, and installation geometry.
Historical Significance and Modern Relevance
When the Extended Lazy-H antenna was published in QST in 1955, it reflected the growing use of balanced transmission lines and multiband antenna systems. While antenna technology has evolved, the electrical principles behind this design remain valid.
With modern materials and tuners, the Extended Lazy-H continues to be a viable and efficient option for amateur radio operators seeking a simple multiband HF antenna.
The Extended Lazy-H antenna demonstrates that well-designed wire antennas can remain useful for decades. Its combination of balanced construction, open-wire feed, and multiband capability makes it a solid choice for amateurs interested in efficient HF operation without unnecessary complexity.
Credit and Reference
Originally published in QST, October 1955.
Archived page available via the Rob Kalmeijer collection:
https://www.robkalmeijer.nl/techniek/electronica/radiotechniek/hambladen/qst/1955/10/page20/index.html
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