Jan/Feb 2005

A low-profile antenna assembly that can handle both UHF terrestrial mobile radio and GPS location signals has been launched in the UK by Australian manufacturer RF Industries. It is available here through telematics and wireless specialist NextGen.

The TLA600-57-GPS is designed for use on buses, trucks and trains or in telemetry applications where the antennas are mounted on a glass fibre roof or similar non-conductive surface.

The company says the integrated active GPS antenna makes the device ideal for asset tracking/ vehicle location applications. A Wi-Fi option is also available.

For those of a technical bent, the device features an integral aluminum radiator, providing an omnidirectional pattern with unity gain relative to a quarter-wave antenna mounted in the centre of a metal roof. The radiator is mounted on an aluminium plate that functions as the counterpoise for the antenna.

 

The entire counterpoise and radiator assembly are enclosed in a high-impact ABS housing.

RFI has also released a new GSM antenna module said to be ideal for original equipment installations requiring covert mounting. The EAM2000 is a ground plane-insensitive device, and is said to be suitable for use alongside GPS applications as part of a telematics package.