raytaylor:

 

I use phased array antennas at microwave frequencies so i dont have much expierence with UHF but I imagine it to be the same principal. 

 

 

 

A Yagi antenna is a high gain in a specific direction. 

 

If a tree or object blocks the signal, you can suffer significant loss. Higher gain can sometimes compensate for the loss. But if you are further away from the transmitter, you need more gain. 

 

 

 

A phased array antenna uses two smaller antennas side by side. 

 

This gives more physical space for the antenna to 'catch' the signal, but because of their size, they dont make them as big 
They are suitable if you are closer to the source, where you dont need the gain, but where a tree could be blocking the signal and when it moves, you want the signal to stay good by catching it in the new position where is passes between the branches. 

 

 

 

So imagine a tree trunk / branches / leaves that could be causing you signal issues. 

 

By using a phased array antenna, there is a higher chance it will pick up signals passing through either side of the object. 

 

When the signal is received by both antennas on the phased array, it combines and increases in strength. 

 

 

So yeah they are not garbage, but just have a specific use case, and that is trees while being closer to the transmitter. 

 

When your further away and have tree issues, it can be better to make your own phased array antenna out of two standard yagi antennas. 

 

Only when the signal is very bad or being split many ways do you add an amplifier. 

 

Awesome explanation. 

Thanks for that, 

So you're saying a phased array would provide a more quality signal pickup even though it may struggle to receive the signal more than a yagi would? (obviously basing this on my location which is in a valley hidden from the Waiatarua transmitter)

what are your thoughts on using a phased array for my particular circumstance?