In a Yagi 3 element directional antenna, what characteristic is true about the driven element?

In a Yagi 3 element directional antenna, the driven element is key to generating the antenna's radiation pattern and is typically made of a dipole or a similar structure. The driven element does not have to be the longest or the shortest; instead, it is tuned to a specific frequency and generally reflects a balanced design with the two other elements playing specific roles in enhancing the antenna's directionality.

The other elements, known as the reflector and the director, serve distinct purposes – the reflector increases gain and improves front-to-back ratio by directing signals toward the front, while the director focuses the beam further in the direction of the desired signal. The combination of these elements leads to the Yagi's characteristic gain and directionality.

In summary, the driven element is pivotal in the overall function of the antenna design, designed to resonate at the operating frequency, and its length does not define it as either the longest or the shortest element. This characteristic allows it to be effectively positioned between the other two elements for optimal performance.