Pioneer antenna designer dies

Well recognised for re-shaping the construction of antennas and their theory of operation is Gordon "Dick" Bird G4ZU / F6IDC, who has died in the South of France, aged 86.

A chief electronics engineer and manager he worked for the British Post and Telecommunications, NATO and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence.

From the 1950s he created numerous original antennas such as the "Minibeam" and "Birdcage" with their designs being published in ham radio magazines creating worldwide interest.

In the 1980s he designed an antenna with bent elements, that became known as the "Jungle Job" or "Bow-and-Arrow Yagi". Later when writing about it Dick conceded in designing the antenna having stumbled on the 'critical coupling' technique developed jointly by two of his peers, Fred Caton VK2ABQ and Les Moxon G6XN.

The popular multi-band "spider beam" is based on Dick's ideas but was not developed by him. It consists of three mono-band "Bow and-Arrow Yagis" interlaced on the same supporting cross. This lightweight portable antenna remains popular today and is marketed by Cornelius Paul, DF4SA.

The G4ZU antenna designs are renowned for their gain. An example being a two-element switchable beam antenna made of wire comprising three dipoles and a common parasitic reflector. The three switchable lobes, 120-degrees apart, produced forward gain of nearly 9dBi and a front-to-back ratio of about 25dB.

Sincere condolences are extended to his wife Helene Bird and their children.

The antenna design legacy left by Dick, continues to be explored by modern day antenna builders using computer modelling. His principles remain the subject of debate and wonderment.


Jim Linton VK3PC

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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