ID Antenna

[TexScan780D]

I spotted this antenna on the outside of the back wall of a local restaurant with the coax going into the wall. Seems strange this antenna would be at the location. Any idea what this antenna might be used for?

 

[nd5y]

It's a UHF mobile antenna with a ground plane kit.
Probably fire or burglar alarm system or something similar.
Posting the location may help narrow it down.

 

[Cameron314]

Drive thru

 

[nd5y]

Drive thru

Maybe, but I've never seen drive-thru intercoms with an external antenna like that.

 

[prcguy]

Its a UHF antenna. Does the restaurant hand out little pager things to customers while they wait for a table? If so the antenna is probably wired to their paging base unit.

 

[prcguy]

If its a drive through do the order takers have wireless headsets for the intercom? That could also be the use.

 

[nd5y]

Does the restaurant hand out little pager things to customers while they wait for a table? If so the antenna is probably wired to their paging base unit.

I thought about that too but all the Coaster-Call paging bases I have seen had a rubber duck on the back.

 

[prcguy]

If I had me a restaurant and a Coaster-Call system I'd probably put a 300 watt paging amp on it. I would also run the carrier on 24/7 and just modulate it for the paging. Maybe locate the antenna near the holding area for the takeout to keep the food warm. I would also accept reception reports and reply with a QSL card to those DXrs who picked up my Coaster-Call signal in the next state.

I thought about that too but all the Coaster-Call paging bases I have seen had a rubber duck on the back.

 

[chrismol1]

Oh boy hell yea coaster-call paging would be my jam, scratch off dentist offices no longer no so sir-ee

Try MAPRAD.IO | Radiocomms Register Search Tool and use near my location and see both active and expired licenses but more interestingly try searching the FCC General Menu reports for a wildcard search within like 100 miles for "security" "alarm" keywords https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/General_Menu_Reports/

I suppose if it has a drive thru that'd be a helluva antenna for whats usually a .10 watt drive thru system using a really old school UHF instead of the older 900mhz and now 2.4ghz systems, I'm going to guess as well its some sort of old/new wireless security alarm monitoring antenna. The licenses I've seen are like around 2 watts but good luck finding an on premises license since they seem to be licensed with the FCC as a MO license with something in the thousands of units and licensed for like an area of 75-100 miles instead of individually which is why I suggest searching for a license in the name of some security or alarm company

 

[nd5y]

Just because the building is a restaurant now doesn't mean it always was and the antenna could be left over from the previous occupant and not used for anything now.

 

[TexScan780D]

I have not been inside of the restaurant, so I don’t if they have the paging coasters. The restaurant is new and is packed all the time. Have to order at the pickup window so there is no remote ordering station. The antenna is real close to the pickup window.

 

[TexScan780D]

Just because the building is a restaurant now doesn't mean it always was and the antenna could be left over from the previous occupant and not used for anything now.

The outside of the building has been completely redone and I check Google Street Map the antenna was not there before the construction.

 

[jwt873]

See if you can beg, borrow, or steal a scanner with 'close call' and stake out the area with it.. Or knock on the door and and ask what the antenna is for. (Don't know if I'd be willing to do that)