Antenna Systems can make or break an wireless system installation. The engineers at Professional Wireless Systems can assist you in determining the best antenna and cable for your needs. Below is a list of common antennas. Each antenna has it's own advantages and disadvantages. It's not really possible to say that any one antenna is best or worst. That determination can only be made on a case by case basis for each installation.

Other Accessories such as multicouplers, line amplifiers, passive combiner / splitters and filters are also part of the antenna system. Let PWS provide you with "Custom Solutions" for your installation. Entire installation packages are available on a custom designed basis.

References: Vega Wireless Microphone Applications Techniques (.pdf format)

Isotropic

0 dbi gain
All other antennas are compared to this ideal radiator.
Infinite Bandwidth
Typically 360° beam width (non directional)

The isotropic antenna is the theoretical perfect radiator, it radiates all frequencies in all directions with no losses. All other antennas are compared to this theoretical standard. A gain of 3 dbi means that an antenna receives twice as much signal as an isotropic radiator.

Standard Whips

This antenna is the basic model shipped with all wireless systems. It is designed to be mounted near a large metal ground plane such as the chassis of a receiver. This antenna should never be mounted at the end of a cable unless some type of ground plane is provided.

Dipole

0 dbi gain
Relatively narrow bandwidth
Nearly Omni directional (doughnut pattern)

Used primarily in the VHF band this low profile antenna is best for remote operation where the advantage of physical height and its affect on extending range is desired. Unfortunately, greater antenna height sometimes means a greater probability of RF interference.

Ground Plane

0 to 1.5 dbi gain
Relatively narrow bandwidth
(doughnut pattern)

This antenna is primarily used in the UHF band when remote antennas are required. Modeled after standard whips, the ground plane is designed to be used at the end of a cable. The "ground plane" is self contained within the antenna so it doesn't need to be mounted near the chassis of the receiver.

Discone

1 to 3 dbi gain
Very wide bandwidth (doughnut pattern)

The Discone is used where a wide range of radio frequencies and 360 degree coverage is required. The bandwidth is typically 3:1 to 4:1 (i.e., 160 MHz to 640 MHz or 300 MHz to 1.2 GHz). This antenna does not provide any rejection, but it is possible to use a single antenna for parts of both the VHF and UHF bands.

Log Periodic

6 to 9 dbi gain
(depending on the number of elements)
Very wide bandwidth
(450 to 975 MHz for the model shown)
Typically 50° to 70° beam width

The "Log Periodic Dipole Array" is ideally suited for use with multiple receiver installations covering a wide band of UHF frequencies and where directivity, long range or back end rejection of interference is desired. Compare this antenna to a choir microphone.

Yagi-Uda (Yagi)

6 to 10+ dbi gain
(depending on the number of elements)
Narrow bandwidth
(506 to 536 MHz for the model shown.)
Typically 40° to 70° beam width

This antenna is ideally suited to installations in which the range of frequencies in use is fairly small. This antenna provides long range (from the front) and high rejection (from the rear). The tight RF bandwidth and narrow beamwidth of this antenna make it ideal for custom applications with high demand requirements. Compare this antenna to a shotgun microphone with a tight acoustic filter.

PWS Helical Antenna
Unparalled drop-out free RF performance for In-Ear and Wireless Mics, delivering more than double the range over other antennas.

View Helical product sheet