Dielectric to Launch 1.4 GHz CP Antenna for Multimedia

By Doug Lung
published

Mobile and handheld TV and multimedia services are not limited to the UHF bands. Modeo, for example, used spectrum at 1.4 GHz.

At the NAB Show, Dielectric will debut a new L-band, 1.4 GHz high-power circularly polarized broadband antenna that builds on the company's experience with pylon antenna design at UHF. The design allows for a wide range of elevation and azimuth antenna patterns.

"Our new 1.4-GHz circularly polarized pylon patch antenna offers a distinctive and comprehensive feature set for broadcasters looking to make the leap into mobile media broadcasting," said Dielectric president Garrett VanAtta. "The antenna's pattern versatility makes it easier than ever for broadcasters to plan their network and make adjustments to suit their specific regions and broadcasting needs. The combination of features our antenna offers makes it truly unique."

VanAtta added, "Circularly polarized antennas have emerged as the broadcasting industry's gold standard for ensuring reliable service in mobile TV applications. Prior to the introduction of our new antenna, the only L-Band products available were vertically polarized whip style antennas. Collinear dipole whip antennas are power limited and linearly polarized, which do not offer the service reliability that circular polarization provides. Our new antenna blends the best of both worlds by providing high-power, circularly polarized broadband coverage with flexible, effective transmission patterns."

The antenna can be top or side mounted and can handle up to 4 kW input power, depending on the design. Gains range from 15 to 19 dBi and VSWR is specified at 1.1:1 or less.

Doug Lung
Doug Lung

Doug Lung is one of America's foremost authorities on broadcast RF technology. As vice president of Broadcast Technology for NBCUniversal Local, H. Douglas Lung leads NBC and Telemundo-owned stations’ RF and transmission affairs, including microwave, radars, satellite uplinks, and FCC technical filings. Beginning his career in 1976 at KSCI in Los Angeles, Lung has nearly 50 years of experience in broadcast television engineering. Beginning in 1985, he led the engineering department for what was to become the Telemundo network and station group, assisting in the design, construction and installation of the company’s broadcast and cable facilities. Other projects include work on the launch of Hawaii’s first UHF TV station, the rollout and testing of the ATSC mobile-handheld standard, and software development related to the incentive auction TV spectrum repack.
A longtime columnist for TV Technology, Doug is also a regular contributor to IEEE Broadcast Technology. He is the recipient of the 2023 NAB Television Engineering Award. He also received a Tech Leadership Award from TV Tech publisher Future plc in 2021 and is a member of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society and the Society of Broadcast Engineers.