"Parasitic element" redirects here. For unwanted electrical circuit components, see parasitic impedance.
Drawing of a Yagi–Uda VHFtelevision antenna used for analog channels 2–4, 54–72 MHz (U.S. channels). It has four parasitic elements: three directors (to left) and one reflector (to right) and one driven element which is a folded dipole (double rod) connected to a 300 Ω twin lead feedline down the mast to the television set.Yagi antenna with one driven element (A) called a folded dipole, and 5 parasitic elements: one reflector (B) and 4 directors (C). The feed line leading to the receiver is not shown; it attaches to the driven element at D. The antenna radiates radio waves in a beam toward the right.
In an antenna array made of multiple conductive elements (typically metal rods), a driven element or active element (also called driven radiator or active radiator) is electrically connected to the receiver or transmitter while a parasitic element (or passive radiator) is not.
