OWA stands for 'Optimised Wideband Array'. Generally this type of antenna is designed with maximum performance whilst retaining a 50 Ohm impedance in order to help ensure minimum losses and maxiumum radiating efficiency. It is this point which is often missed by many when selecting an antenna design, one tends to get 'blinkered' in their opinions by high performance on paper figures regardless of the hidden losses and inefficiencies.
Many antennas available today show huge gain and front to back figures and sometimes ( not always) these figures stack up within simulation software. However, it is more often than not that when you analyse further, radiating efficiency means many of the on paper benefits have been lost.
Benefits of an OWA design:
Very low and flat SWR curves resulting in minimal return losses
Wide-band performance normally extended further than your required limits, most bands being covered end to end
Simple feedpoints with direct coax connection
Excellent stability in performance even in rain and around other antennas or buildings - will not de-tune like other low impedance Yagis
Simple to build antennas with no matching network needed - direct coax feed is possible
High RF power rating due to having no matching network limitations
Very high radiating efficiency with minimal structural loss - ensures and maximises radiated RF power
Single feed point multi-band antennas which employ no traps, coils or compromising element spacing and as a result, some of the most efficient multi-band Yagi designs are available in OWA format (and on this site!)
Ideal for novice of experienced builders alike - Due to the non-critical design on my OWA antennas, small errors in measurements and general construction will NOT greatly affect performance. Furthermore, no matching system has to be built in addition to the antenna, just a simple choke balun in the coax!
