Antenna orientation

Occasionally we get asked, what way should my antennas face?
 
For high gain directional antennas commonly called a Yagi, they should be pointed so that the long axis of the antenna should be pointed at each other, just like you are looking down the barrel of a gun.  The fins should be pointed either vertical or horizontal depending on which way gives you the most amount of clearance.  A Yagi antenna should also be pointed so that the largest fins are closest to the mast and the shortest fins pointed at each other.


For Omni directional antennas, they should be in most cases pointed directly vertical.  That is to say, pointed directly up into the sky.  The only time this would not be the case is when both points are at different altitudes along the same vertical plane such as on a wall of a building. In this case, it would be best to have both antennas pointed horizontal as to allow for the radio signal to radiate up and down.

For XBee radios with wire whip antennas, there are optimal and sub-optimal orienations.

Picture 3 is optimal. Picture 2 is the worst performing orientation.