Ham Radio General Class Practice Test

Which of the following statements about multiband antennas is true?

1. They can be used without an antenna tuner

2. They generally have a simple design

3. They provide uniform gain across all bands

4. They are often less efficient than single-band antennas

The correct answer is: They are often less efficient than single-band antennas

The correct statement is that multiband antennas are often less efficient than single-band antennas. The design of multiband antennas involves compromises to accommodate multiple frequency bands. These compromises can lead to lower efficiency, especially when compared to single-band antennas that are optimized specifically for one frequency range. Single-band antennas can be finely tuned and designed for maximum performance at their designated frequency, thus providing better gain and efficiency. Multiband antennas may not present the same efficiency because they are typically constructed to operate across a wider range of frequencies, which can impact their performance on each individual band. Therefore, while multiband antennas offer versatility in operating on different bands, this design choice can result in a trade-off concerning efficiency compared to specialized single-band designs. The other statements do not accurately reflect the nature of multiband antennas: they may require an antenna tuner for optimal operation, they can have complex designs to accommodate multiple bands, and they do not necessarily provide uniform gain across all bands, as performance can vary significantly depending on the frequency being used.