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	Portable Antenna's Introduction
	Lowband (30-80 Mhz)
	VHF (136-225 MHZ)
	UHF 406-512 MHZ
	800-900 MHZ Trunking, Cellular, Data
	Kulduckie Portable Antennas
	SPOTS!

• Cellular/PCS fixed and telescoping masts
• LMR/SMR fixed, flexible rubber type antennas
• Rigid, rotating, flexible and telescoping antennas for portable data terminals
• Various other communications and telemetry applications.

In addition, there are several antenna types that will fit a specific radio. The type selected depends on exact customer requirements including:

• Radio model
• Connector type
• Frequency range to be covered
• Performance desired
• Size constraints
• Budget

A proper replacement can restore or improve radio performance. With a good understanding of portable radio antennas, a sales associate or technician can make the right choice the first time and assure a happy customer.


Portable Antenna Performance
Portable antennas must endure a tough environment of physical abuse and poor conditions for performance. The portable radio provides a typically small ground plane. Performance characteristics are further complicated by proximity to the hand, head and body as well as variations in antenna polarization.

Portable antennas typically operate in a highly variable and uncontrolled environment of high multi-path due to structures or use in or near an automobile. When used inside a vehicle performance can be reduced by as much as 80 percent.

Actual electrical performance (resulting in improved clarity and longer talk distance) can vary significantly between different antenna types. A good knowledge of these basic electrical types helps in the selection process.

A general rule of thumb for portable antenna performance is that "Longer is better." Quarter wave whip antennas perform better than helical types. Half-wave antennas perform better than whips. "Short" antennas deliver the poorest electrical performance, but are often selected when physical size and durability are more important than absolute gain.

The best antenna performance is found in a ground plane independent, true center fed half wave dipole. The availability of different electrical types is dependent on frequency and connector types.


Antenna Performance Chart

Type	Bandwidth	Performance	Length	Connector Type	Frequency	Pricing
Helical Short	6%	Poor	Short	All	Low-Mid-VHF-UHF	$$
Helical	8%	Average	Shorter	All	Low-Mid-VHF-UHF	$$
Helical Quarter Wave	12%	Good	Longer	All except SMA	VHF	$$
Whip	12%	Good	Mid	All	UHF+	$
End Fed Half Wave	10%	Better	Longer	Coaxial	800+	$$$
Half Wave Dipole	10%	Best	Longer	Coaxial	800+	$$$$
Wide Band	25%+	Good	Longer	Coaxial	All	$$$$$
Dual Band	2x8%	Average	Mid	Coaxial	VHF/UHF	$$

Due to the high variability of use, measurements are difficult to make on portable antennas. All Radiall/Larsen portable antenna designs are tested for gain and VSWR using a standard fixture for portable antennas. Gain measurements are determined based on range or chamber measurements. Performance ratings are determined using a VSWR standard of less than 2.0 to 1.

External Construction
Portable antennas also come in a variety of construction types to meet customer preferences.

Molded Portable Antennas
The most popular construction type is the molded antenna. This is the style found on most new commercial radios delivered today. Molded antennas offer attractive styling and extreme durability.

Most SPOTS! antennas are overmolded. Once the radiator is assembled, the complete electrical design is placed in a mold, and injected under high pressure with a high grade polyurethane compound. The result is a single fused unit. The antenna is then tuned to frequency and capped with the trademarked SPOTS! color spot cap.

Some antennas are constructed with a molded sleeve design. In this case the sleeve is molded independently and glued over the radiator. Sleeve designs offer greater styling flexibility, and sleeving is required for antennas with micro-circuit networks. Generally, sleeve designs are considered less durable than overmolded antennas.

PVC Coated and Polyolefin Tube Antennas
Some antennas are constructed using a PVC dip or Polyolefin Shrink Tube cover construction. Generally these antenna types are produced for specialty products or low volume designs. The high flexibility of the process requires no special tooling so very short production runs can be made. Radiall/Larsen's ExacTune Kulduckies® are hand built, tuned to the exact customer specification and coated with heavy duty PVC cover. Kulduckies will offer higher electric performance but a slightly lower durability than molded SPOTS! antennas.

Telescoping Antennas
Radiall/Larsen offers a telescoping VHF antenna. The rigid telescoping whip provides an end fed full half-wave length for maximum performance and collapses to a short 6" when not in use.

Special Characteristics of portable antennas include:

• Flexibility - Is the antenna more rigid or more flexible?
• Memory - When deflected, does the antenna return to a straight and upright position?
• Abrasion resistance - Is the cover material easily cut or scarred?
• Identification - Is the antenna easily identified by frequency application?

 

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1/4 WAVE WHIP		HELICAL		STOUT
Attractive & durable PVC Finish Brass wound cable radiator for conductivity, flexibility and strength Fully soldered, not just crimped, for best electrical performance & long life Silver plated contact pin or durable brass connection provides excellent electrical contact and long life Available for UHF/800/900 Approx. length: 6"		Attractive & Durable PVC Finish Special low loss heat-shrinkable poly olefin tubing separates radiating element from outer PVC coating to minimize dielectric losses Highly efficient .50 steel & copper-plated radiating element means improved conductivity and performance Soldered electrical connection is covered with a copper jacket then flooded with solder to give double protection at the point of maximum stress Silver plated contact pin or durable brass connection provides excellent electrical contact and long life Available for VHF/UHF Approx. length: VHF - 8" UHF - 3"		Same construction as Helical but uses lower pitch coil to provide a smaller package Attractive & durable PVC Finish Special low loss heat-shrinkable polyolefin tubing separates radiating element from outer PVC coating to minimize dielectric losses Highly efficient .50 steel & copper-plated radiating element means improved conductivity and performance Soldered electrical connection is covered with a copper jacket then flooded with solder to give double protection at the point of maximum stress Silver plated contact pin or durable brass connection provides excellent electrical contact and long life Available for VHF Approx. length:4"

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HQ		Half Wave VHF		Half Wave UHF
Design pioneered at Radiall/Larsen 1/2 over 1/4 wave delivers a noticeable improvement in range and sound clarity Brass wound cable radiator for conductivity, flexibility and strength Attractive and durable PVC finish Low loss polyolefin protects the helix from the higher loss PVC jacket material Highly efficient .50 steel and copper-plated radiating element means improvement conductivity and performance Soldered electrical connection is covered with a copper jacket then flooded with solder to give double protection at the point of maximum stress Silver plated contact pin or durable brass connection provides excellent electrical contact and long life Available for VHF Approx. Length 9 1/2"		Collapsible chrome radiating element: internally shorted collapsing joints provide good performance and attractive, durable finish Sturdy polycarbonate transformer housing - coil cannot flex and change frequency Superior air wound impedance transformer provides higher Q and deeper resonance Silver plated contact pin or durable brass connection provides excellent electrical contact and long life. Available for VHF Approx. Length 44 1/2"		Brass wound cable radiator for conductivity, flexibility and strength Attractive and durable PVC finish Fully soldered, not just crimped for best electrical performance and long life Sturdy polycarbonate transformer housing - coil cannot flex and change frequency Superior air wound impedance transformer provides higher Q and deeper resonance Silver plated contact pin or durable brass connection provides excellent electrical contact and long life. Available for UHF Approx. Length 16"

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DUAL BAND		Q-1/4 WAVE
Attractive & durable PVC Finish Operates as a full 1/4 wave at UHF and a loaded 1/4 wave at VHF Impedance matching transformer provides high Q and deeper resonance Silver plated contact pin or durable brass connection provides excellent electrical contact and long life  Available for selected VHF/UHF applications Approx. length: 9"		Flexible 17-7 stainless steel rod provides simplicity and extra durability Kulrod copper plated for maximum RF efficiency Fully soldered connection for durability and electrical performance. BNC, TNC or PL-259 Connector only  Approx. length: 4 3/4" to 20"

Radiall/Larsen SPOTS! represent the leading edge in modern antenna technology. SPOTS! are built to the same high standards used in OEM antenna production. These antennas are the same design and construction as supplied to many of the top radio producers.

• Fully molded design produces an ultra tough antenna ready for severe handling and weather conditions.
• Tough OEM formula polyurethane (PU) - fully molded antenna covering - withstands extremes in temperature, shock and humidity
• Hard drawn steel and three mil copper clad helical radiators for high performance
• Bronze coated whips for high conductivity
• Mechanically connected and soldered construction
• Attractive OEM style antenna appearance

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WB - WIDEBAND		WH - Whip Antenna		NY - 90 Degree Whip
Exclusive SPOTS! design offers true wideband performance for modern wideband radios. Allows for effective antenna performance across the full band of radio Transformer network in base creates wide band performance. Whip type antenna is durable design made from bronze coated steel braid VHF coverage 148 - 174 UHF coverage 430 - 512  Typical Length: 9"		1/4-Wave Whip Type Antenna Molded from tough, OEM specified Polyurethane Blend for resistance to water, cracking or permanent bending. Special whip material is OEM specification steel braid with bronze coat for improved electrical performance. For UHF, SMR and data applications Typical Length: 6" UHF 3" 800/900		1/4-Wave, 90 Degree angle whip design for special mount applications. Molded from tough, OEM specified polyurethane Blend for resistance to water, cracking or permanent bending. Special whip material is OEM specification steel braid with bronze coat for improved electrical performance Available in TNC and Mini UHF connectors only for 800 & 900 frequency applications  Typical Length: 8" UHF 3" 800/900

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EN - Half Wave End Fed		DP - Dipole
1/2-wave End Fed Whip type antenna Improved performance over 1/4-wave whip due to longer radiator. Molded from tough, OEM specified polyurethane blend for resistance to water, cracking or permanent bending Special whip material is OEM specification steel braid with bronze coat for improved electrical performance For SMR and data applications Typical Length: 7" 800/900		Full 1/2-wave Dipole Antenna Highest performance antenna for 800/900 applications Center fed design allows true dipole performance with noticeable improvement in range and quality over standard whip antennas Molded from tough, OEM specified polyurethane blend for resistance to water, cracking or permanent bending. For SMR and data applications  Typical Length: 9" 800/900

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Decoding SPOTS! Part Numbers

Typical part number: SPHL10144

SP	HL	10	144
SPOTS! Product Line	Helical Antenna Type	Connector Number	Center Cut Frequency

Helical Antenna Type

CODE	ANTENNA TYPE
HE	Helical Type - Low/Mid Band
HL	Helical Type - Standard
HS	Helical Type - Short
WH	Whip
NY	Ninety Degree Angle Whip
EN	End Fed 1/2-Wave Antenna
DP	1/2-Wave Dipole
WB	Wide Band Antenna

Connector Number

CODE	CONNECTOR	CONNECTOR DESCRIPTIONS
10	1/4-32x3/16	Threaded Male Stud Connector	(MX Type)
11	5/16-32x1/4	Threaded Male Stud Connector	(RS Type)
12	5/16-32x3/8	Threaded Male Stud Connector	(KR Type)
13	5/16-32x1/2	Threaded Male Stud Connector	(HT Type)
14	M7x1.0	Threaded Male Stud Connector	(MD Type)
15	BNC	BNC Exposed-Chrome	(BN Type)
16	BNC Covered	BNC Covered	(BNX Type)
17	TNC	TNC Exposed - Chrome	(TN Type)
18	TNC Covered	TNC Covered	(TNX Type)
20	SMA Male T1	SMA Male - Extended Base	(SMS Type)
21	SMA F T1	SMA Female - Flush Base	(SF Type)
22	SMA F T2	SMA Female - Recessed Insulator - No Cover Skirt (EFJ Type)	(SFJ Type)
23	SMA F T3	SMA Female - Recessed Insulator - Short Cover Skirt (Uniden Type)	(SFU Type)
24	SMA Male T2	SMA Male - Flush Base	(SM Type)

Center Cut Frequency Color Code

VHF (CENTER FREQ)			COLOR	UHF (CENTER FREQ)		COLOR	800/900(CENTER FREQ.)		COLOR
136		(136-142)	Purple	420	(403-437)	Blue	832	(795-870)	Blue
140		(134-146)	Blue	450	(432-468)	Yellow	850	(820-900)	Yellow
144		(138-150)	Gray	470	(450-490)	Red	918	(872-964)	Red
152		(146-158)	Yellow	490	(470-510)	Green
156		(150-162)	Orange	455WB	(400-512)	Black
160		(154-166)	Green
167		(160-174)	Red
221		(220-225)	White
155WB		(136-174)	Black

Availability and Price of antennas and accessories is subject to change without prior notice.