Mobile milcom/milsat antenna

[N8IAA]

Just wondering what ya'll are using for a mobile milcom/milsat antenna. I have a Larsen 1/4~ that is uncut with the lowest frequency of 136MHz. Works ok, but would like better. Any suggestions? Has anyone tried the Super M?
Wondering,
Larry

 

[prcguy]

For mobile satcom you would use a mobile satcom antenna, of course.
prcguy

 

[N8IAA]

Right:lol: Now how does it do at freeway speeds
Larry

 

[Alliance01TX]

Mil-Com /Mil-Satcom

Howdy

The questions around Mil-Com and Mil-Satcom are likely more complex in the answers as the Mil-Air is used both VHF and UHF (vast majority). The Mil-Satcom is a couple of different areas, as in the UHF-AM Mode from an Air-to-Air/Ground and then we have the 'real' Mil-Satcom that requires a RHC (right hand circular) antenna to the Mil-Satcom birds.

So, a Discone of wideband will give you the best 'utility' coverage, but if you want better coverage you would need a couple of antenn's, especially the RHC if you want better reception of the Mil-Satcom frequencies in my opinion.

Others will likely chime in with better views of what works in various config's....I use an AT-197GR for pure Mil Aircraft in the 224~400 Mhz range with the center around ~311.000 (old SAC Primary) and itworks well. I use a Diamond Discone for Wide-Band and a special made RHC Antenna for SATCOM-On-The-Move (SOTM) use.

Hope the helps.

Thx

Bill

 

[N8IAA]

Howdy

The questions around Mil-Com and Mil-Satcom are likely more complex in the answers as the Mil-Air is used both VHF and UHF (vast majority). The Mil-Satcom is a couple of different areas, as in the UHF-AM Mode from an Air-to-Air/Ground and then we have the 'real' Mil-Satcom that requires a RHC (right hand circular) antenna to the Mil-Satcom birds.

So, a Discone of wideband will give you the best 'utility' coverage, but if you want better coverage you would need a couple of antenn's, especially the RHC if you want better reception of the Mil-Satcom frequencies in my opinion.

Others will likely chime in with better views of what works in various config's....I use an AT-197GR for pure Mil Aircraft in the 224~400 Mhz range with the center around ~311.000 (old SAC Primary) and itworks well. I use a Diamond Discone for Wide-Band and a special made RHC Antenna for SATCOM-On-The-Move (SOTM) use.

Hope the helps.

Thx

Bill

For mobile My question is "what are people using for mobile use"?
Larry

 

[prcguy]

Its a mag mount and I forget the rated speed but I've had no problems at 70mph and it pulls in signals full quieting. This type antenna is currently used on HUMVEEs and other vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan.
prcguy

Right:lol: Now how does it do at freeway speeds
Larry

 

[prcguy]

Here is a permanent mount mobile UHF satcom antenna for sale on Ebay:
MILITARY ANTENNA SATCOM PORTABLE UHF TRIVEC-AVANT R&D? | eBay
Its a little pricey but much less than what the Govt spends for a new one. I'd love to see one of these on the trunk lid of N8IAAs car!
prcguy

 

[N9JCQ]

I use the Niljon Super M Mobile coupled to either my 396T, Pro-43 or my Yupi 7100. I think it does damn good for MILAIR. I live in the Chicago area and I can monitor Air to air in Red Hills, near Volk Field and sometimes over Lake Michigan pretty well. These areas are a considerable distance from me.
I do not Monitor MIlsats. I hope this helps

 

[N8IAA]

Here is a permanent mount mobile UHF satcom antenna for sale on Ebay:
MILITARY ANTENNA SATCOM PORTABLE UHF TRIVEC-AVANT R&D? | eBay
Its a little pricey but much less than what the Govt spends for a new one. I'd love to see one of these on the trunk lid of N8IAAs car!
prcguy

I would too. But, my wife sure wouldn't:lol::lol:
Larry

 

[N8IAA]

I use the Niljon Super M Mobile coupled to either my 396T, Pro-43 or my Yupi 7100. I think it does damn good for MILAIR. I live in the Chicago area and I can monitor Air to air in Red Hills, near Volk Field and sometimes over Lake Michigan pretty well. These areas are a considerable distance from me.
I do not Monitor MIlsats. I hope this helps

That was what I thought, too. The design lends itself to those frequencies. I have a better chance of having that on the car instead of the turnstile
Larry

 

[Alliance01TX]

Howdy

Have a look around relative to the home-brew SATCOM Antenna as discussed in a 2-part Monitoring Times write up a little over a year ago. It was not a mobile version, but for under $50. you can have a nice SATCOM Antenna. The key is the 'phasing' (Right Hand Circular or RHC) that really makes a difference and vastly improved reception....Suspect someone has made a mobile version perhaps?

 

[prcguy]

If you bolt the MT X-wing to your trunk lid it will become a mobile UHF satcom antenna. You could also bolt the bottom pipe cap to a large 3/8-24 mag mount and make it mobile. You would have to shorten the support tube slightly in this case due to the added height of the mag mount.

I drive around occasionally with the commercially made mag mount a few posts up and it gets some strange looks.
prcguy

Howdy

Have a look around relative to the home-brew SATCOM Antenna as discussed in a 2-part Monitoring Times write up a little over a year ago. It was not a mobile version, but for under $50. you can have a nice SATCOM Antenna. The key is the 'phasing' (Right Hand Circular or RHC) that really makes a difference and vastly improved reception....Suspect someone has made a mobile version perhaps?

 

[krokus]

Here is an antenna I used in the military, for UHF comms:
http://www.wade-antenna.com/TACO/Coax-Stub.pdf

For receive only, the US Navy does/did use these on ship:
Fleet Broadband Subsystem Equipment

If you really want something really stout:
http://www.rfcomm.harris.com/media/RF-3184-AT320_tcm26-9099.pdf

I would consider some type of turnstile antenna, also called an "egg beater." The SSR-1 antenna would be a decent platform to start with, and pare down the ruggedness a bit.

 

[prcguy]

Of the three antennas you listed only one is a satcom and the others are vertically polarized LOS antennas.

I had a Navy SSR-1 antenna and was not impressed, the MT-X-wing project antenna works much better in my opinion.

I also scaled down and built an Eggbeater II antenna for 260MHz and the X-wing worked better. The Eggbeater was complicated to build and needed some odd 93ohm coax for the phasing harness.
prcguy

Here is an antenna I used in the military, for UHF comms:
http://www.wade-antenna.com/TACO/Coax-Stub.pdf

For receive only, the US Navy does/did use these on ship:
Fleet Broadband Subsystem Equipment

If you really want something really stout:
http://www.rfcomm.harris.com/media/RF-3184-AT320_tcm26-9099.pdf

I would consider some type of turnstile antenna, also called an "egg beater." The SSR-1 antenna would be a decent platform to start with, and pare down the ruggedness a bit.

 

[MRBUDSON]

The antenna in the photo

for mobile satcom you would use a mobile satcom antenna, of course.
Prcguy

hello could you you give me some info on the antenna in the photo model # or manufactor

thanks robertquinlan@sbcglobal.net

 

[prcguy]

The mag mount X-wing is a Trivec-Avant AV2090-10. There a bit pricy new.
prcguy

hello could you you give me some info on the antenna in the photo model # or manufactor

thanks robertquinlan@sbcglobal.net