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Over the past few months, EAD has been working hard to develop VHF and UHF access antennas, a modular range of products to address new and existing VHF applications. Before the advent of cellular communications, most radio networks operated at VHF and UHF frequencies and many applications still do.

In addition, new applications based on these frequencies such as the 169 MHz VHF EU licence-free band or the LoRa wireless communications at 868 MHz are being developed with success across the European market and beyond.

With these market developments in mind, EAD has been working on fixed and mobile antennas to offer an innovative and unique range of solutions addressing the antenna part of these applications.

The challenges at VHF are based around the long wavelegnth at lower frequencies such as 169 MHz. The wavelength at 169 MHz is around 1.8M in length so you can understand that often a 1/2 wave antenna can be cumbersome or certainly not compact enough for many terminal or metering applications.

At UHF it is more a case of having UHF access antennas built from robust components combined with offering robust RF performance.

Our ever expanding range of VHF and UHF fibreglass omni-directional access antennas already encompass 169 MHz, 433 MHz and 450 MHz frequency bands. All antennas are mounted on a stainless steel L-bracket and terminated in a N-Female connector. These antennas are durable and compact as the L-bracket provides the groundplane for the 1/4 wave element inside the fibreglass sheath.

For mobile applications, our magnetic mount antennas are based on our popular WCO antenna sheath, a waterproof, UV-resistant black Luran sheath mounted onto a high-pull strength magnetic mount pre-fitted with coaxial cable and connector. We have already developed 169 MHz, 390 MHz, 433 MHz and 450 MHz versions of this antenna – other variations can be supplied on request.

For low profile applications, we also have our VLP4 platform, a compact, reduced height wedge-style antennna that can accommodate 1 or 2 UHF elements or indeed a VHF elements. The VLP4 antenna is customised to order and EAD works with our VLP4 customers to tailor the correct VLP4 antenna for their application.

For terminal antennas, a range of helical, stub and whip antennas are available from 150 MHz up to 900 MHz. Depending on the antenna, the connectors choices are wide including SMA, TNC, N-Type, RP-SMA, BNC and more.

Other antennas in our range can be applied to VHF and UHF frequencies, such as the WCO compact omni range or alternatively the LPO antenna for UHF applications.

Please feel free to contact us with your VHF and UHF antenna requirements and we’ll do our best to specify the correct antenna for your application.

EAD is pleased to introduce a 4 x 4 LTE MIMO antenna for external fixed and mobile applications. Based on the innovative LPO antenna, this new platform has four broadband 690-2960 MHz elements co-existing inside one low profile radome. An active GPS/GLONASS antenna element can also be configured to reside alongside the 4 LTE elements.

For applications requiring high speed LTE making use of 4 x 4 MIMO functionality, the LPO-4L offers a compact and robust solution with each antenna element fed by a separate cable.

The LPO-4L is one of a number of LPO antenna configurations available including the standard LPO (2 x LTE, 2 WiFi + GNSS) and LPO-D4547 with 2 x 450 MHz elements.

For more information and pricing on the LPO-4L antenna, please contact us or your local EAD distributor.

The LPO-4L antenna can also be used with RF240 low loss cables to extend the installation.

The standard LPO can be purchased from the Connex webshop.

A wide range of VHF UHF Antenna options are available from EAD.

Our offering includes VHF helical antennas to UHF panel antennas. We will summarise a number of the possibilities in this blog entry.

Helical Antennas

A moulded helical antenna is a 1/4 wave antenna requiring a ground plane that can operate at either VHF or UHF frequencies. As an example, our H169-SMA is a 169 MHz helical antenna with a SMA-Male connector. Other connectors available include BNC, TNC and RP-SMA.

Whip Antennas

A number of whip antennas are available for UHF frequencies. Based on an injection-moulded sheath, the whip antennas are 1/4 wave antennas and require a ground plane. They can be either terminal or through-hole mount and some examples are the MW868, W868-FLY, W915-RS and the MW433. Various connectors include BNC, TNC, SMA and RP-SMA.

Compact Omni Antennas

Our compact omni antennas are based on a robust UV-resistant Luran sheath and connector barrel. Options are available for VHF or UHF frequencies and the compact omni antennas can be terminal, wall or magnetic mounted. Examples include the WCO-169-WMB, the WCO-433-WMB, the LP-MAG-390 and the WCO-169. Connectors available for these antennas include N-Type, TNC, RP-TNC, SMA and RP-SMA.

Low profile Antennnas

Our low profile antennas include the VLP4 and the LPO – both of which can offer UHF and multiband communications in one low profile roof mount antenna. With various mix and match antenna elements, these two antennas are ideal for UHF combined with GNSS or LTE frequencies.

Outdoor Omni Antennas

Our outdoor omni antennas can typically be wall-mounted. Based on three antenna platforms, the LCO and the WMO V1 or the WMO v2 platforms we can offer VHF or UHF functionality in either a Luran or Fibreglass sheath with a variety of connectors as well as offer a choice of bracket accessories. The new DMO8684 is a variation on that theme and can be purchased via the Connex Webshop.

Based on our modular building blocks, we are able to construct many VHF UHF antenna options based on the above antennas depending on the frequency, cable length, connector type or mounting method that is required. For more information, please contact us with your requirements.

The LP-MAG-390 is a low profile 390 MHz compact Magnetic antenna designed for UHF applications covering 380–400 MHz including some TETRA frequencies. This antenna is robust and durable and ideal for outdoor applications where long antenna whips are undesirable.

The magnetic base is 90mm in diameter and the overall height is just 180mm enabling excellent RF performance whilst avoiding the draw backs of long whip antennas including issues such as damage from overhanging vegetation and other impacts when vehicles are operational. Apart from mobile applications, the LP-MAG-390 is also suitable for fixed applications where a discreet and non-permanent antenna solution is required.

The cable length can be a maximum of 3.5M (other bases are available with longer cable runs) and the connector type can be ordered to requirement.

For more information and pricing on the 390 MHz compact magnetic antenna, please contact your local EAD distributor or EAD directly for assistance.

The LP-MAG antenna can also be supplied at the following frequencies: 169 MHz, 433 MHz, 450 MHz, 868 MHz and 915 MHz. Other frequencies on request.

A range of other UHF antennas can be purchase via the Connex webshop.

The Waterproof Compact Omni Antenna UHF range from EAD is based on a modular platform of components. This modular approach allows us to build a full range of antennas at various frequencies and connectors.

The main standard components are an injection-moulded UV-resistant Luran sheath, a connector barrel and an antenna element.

UHF frequencies that we can address with the WCO UHF include:

380 MHz
430 MHz
433 MHz
450 MHz
459 MHz
868 MHz

Please contact us if you need a different frequency between 300 and 900 MHz and we’ll do our best to assist you.

The common connector options are:

N-Male Plug
N-Female Panel-Mount w/O-Ring – for through-hole mount
TNC-Male Plug Straight
TNC-Female Panel-Mount w/O-Ring for through-hole mount
TNC-Male Plug Right Angle
SMA and RP-SMA options are also available.

The WCO antennas are usually terminal or metal enclosure mount. However there are two other mounting options:

WCO with Magnetic Mount

WCO with L-Bracket for wall-mounting

The Waterproof Compact Omni Antenna UHF products offer excellent build quality, durability and RF performance and can be tailored to your application. At UHF frequencies, they do require a ground plane to radiate effectively.

Applications for these antennas include:

Outdoor Telemetry
Wireless Security
TETRA communications
LTE access (using LTE 450 services where available)

For more information, availability and quotations. Please contact us or your local representative.

The WCO-433-WMB can be purchased via the Connex Website.

EAD’s range of LTE multiband puck products is addressing a number of applications that required multi-element antennas for external intallations. Based on our proven permanent mount puck antenna platform, there are a number of configurations to suit a variety of requirements.

The standard and most common solution is 2 x LTE (MIMO) in a single permanent mount puck antenna. Fed by 2 coaxial cables, the CMO antenna offers MIMO connectivty to LTE-WiFi routers for fixed and mobile applications.

Adding an active GNSS element to the 2 x LTE is also possible. This model is called the CMG antenna and is fed by 3 coaxial cables enabling a positioning functional to the MIMO LTE connectivity.

Removing 1 x LTE element from the CMG is possible thereby leaving 1 x LTE and 1 x active GNSS. This variant is called the CLG antenna and can be deployed where the download speeds from 2 x LTE is not required.

Alternatively, the puck antenna can be supplied with 1 x LTE, 1 x WiFi and 1 x GNSS which offers innovative multi-band functionality in a compact platform. This antenna is called the CLWG.

All of these variants are available as a Magnetic version too. Based on the MP-2L as a 2 x LTE magnetic antenna.

For interesting projects, we are open to make modifications to our LTE multiband puck range to provide functionality for 868 MHz or 915 MHz or indeed offer a passive GNSS element instead of an active one.

For European customers, the CMO is available to purchase in small quantities via the Connex webshop.

For more information, please contact us.

A range of market-leading quality antennas from a world-leading antenna manufacturers are available via EAD’s sister companies, Specialist Antennas and Connex Technologies Ltd.

Specialist Antenna Solutions is a trading division of EAD which works with quality RF manufacturers including PCTEL, SIRIO, SMARTEQ, LAIRD, SCAN and others.

Connex Technologies Ltd is a dedicated webshop for European customers to purchase antennas and RF cables from these manufacturers.

The most popular PCTEL antennas is the BMLPVMB/LTE which is also sold with a magnetic mount as a bundle called the LTE-RUGGED-HIGAIN-MAG. In addition, the GPS and GNSS Timing antennas – GPS-TMG-40NMS are also very popular.

The Laird TRA6927M3 antennas are also very popular solutions. Again bundled with a magnetic mount and called the LTE-HIGAIN-MAG, they are a robust and effective 4G LTE magnetic mount antenna. Alternatively a permanent mount version the TRA6927M3PW-001 is available for purchase where a through-hole mount antenna is required.

From Sirio Antenna based in Italy, there are a number of excellent 4G external antennas available including the SMP-4G-MIMO panel antenna, the HGO-4G-LTE High gain omni and the SMP-4G-LTE.

The AllDisc and SmartDisc from Smarteq offer excellent RF performance for low profile dome and puck antennas respectively. The 710211 antenna from Smarteq is particularly popular.

In addition to the above market leading quality antennas, the most popular EAD LTE antennas can be ordered in small quantities via Connex including the LMO and CMO MIMO antennas as well as RF400 cables.

A new magnetic low profile UHF antenna, the LP-MAG-450, has been introduced by EAD. Based on our WCO (waterproof compact omni) platform, this antenna offers a robust, durable solution for fixed and mobile applications.

Supplied with a solid magnetic mount and a UV-Resistant Luran sheath, this antenna is low profile which helps to reduce impacts and knocks associated with long UHF whip antennas. The connector at the end of the cable of this magnetic low profile UHF antenna can be customised to allow connectivity to a wide range of radios. Connector types on offer include SMA, N, BNC, TNC, RP-SMA and FME.

The modular nature of this product means we can offer a similar solution at 169 MHz, 433 MHz, 868 MHz and 915 MHz. Other frequencies in the VHF and UHF band are also possible.

For more information, please visit the product page or contact EAD or a local EAD distributor.

Low Loss RF coaxial cable assemblies based on RF240 and RF400 low loss cable products are available from EAD.

You can download our RF240 and RF400 overview brochures here:

RF240 Low Loss coaxial cables

RF400 Low Loss coaxial cables

These low loss RF cables can be customer specified with the parameters of length and connector type configurable. Both cable types complement LTE, IoT, GNSS and UHF outdoor antenna installations. Typical products that marry with these cables are the LMO7270, FGO, and HIGAIN-RTK antennas.

Popular RF400 part numbers include RF400-SF-SM-10M and RF400-NM-SM-10M

For more information on EAD’s low loss RF coaxial cable assemblies, please contact EAD or your local distributor.

The new HIGAIN-RTK antenna from EAD is a high gain multi constellation GNSS antenna is designed for outdoor pipe-mounted positioning applications receiving signals from GPS L1, L2, L5, GLONASS G1, G2, Galileo and Beidou systems. With a typical effective gain of around 39-40 dB with LNA, the HIGAIN-RTK offers excellent performance in a discreet IP67 waterproof enclosure.

With a 1-14 UNF thread in the base of the antenna, it can be mounted onto threaded pipes and mounting poles or alternatively can be clamped to a mast. Used in conjunction with RF240 or RF400 cables, this antenna can be located some distance away from the receiver for maximum installation flexibility.

For more information on the HIGAIN-RTK, please visit the product page here or contact EAD or your local distributor for availability and pricing.