The ANTSIG AP515 UFO Boat & Caravan Omnidirectional
RECEIVING antenna below has proven extremely useful on
VHF-UHF on my radio scanners.
Radio Scanning is a hobby that requires a decent set of
ears if you want to listen to all the VHF and UHF
frequencies that cover 30 - 900 MHz with good reception.
I have owned one of these antennas for about 18 months and
it does a great job on all the frequencies that I listen
to in the VHF-UHF bands from my home location ( 25 Metres
above Sea level within 500 metres to the beach of the Port
Philip bay.) I have the antenna mounted on the flat metal
roof of my home 2 stories high and it is attached to a
short metal pipe about 24" (inches) long that is attached
to the centre hub of an old 15 inch magnesium wheel giving
it weight to be stable in the wind. ( I THOUGHT!)
Unfortunately because the roof is ridged the recent high
winds blew the whole antenna and wheel onto its side and
bent one of the dipoles in the middle about 20 degrees out
of alignment as it hit the roof on that element. As it
seemed still strong at the bend I just bent it back into
shape and it returned straight without breaking at the
bend point. The elements are very light weight but seem to
be robust enough to do the important job of pulling the
signals in from all directions.
I have not done any scientific type of evaluation on the
antennas capabilities, but I have compared it to other
antennas and radios operating in similar frequencies/bands
that give me confidence to recommend it for the general
radio scanner hobbyist looking for a great all round
VHF/UHF solution.
Although it is considerably HORIZONTALLY POLARIZED with
the obvious dipoles doing the reception, as it is designed
for TV and most TV signals are Horizontal, it still seems
to receive VERTICALLY POLARIZED signals very well.
In comparison to the following frequency dedicated
transceivers
SAWTRON 990 UHF (476MHz) & 20metres 213 to 6db
mobile antenna on top of TV antenna
Kenwood TS 811A UHF ( 432 MHz ) 10 metres RG58 to 6db
Mobile antenna on roof
Uniden Marine Mobile Transceiver ( 160 MHz ) 10metres RG58
to 3db boat antenna on roof
All of the above have exceptional listening capabilities
on their respective bands and the results on my main two
scanners from the amplified AP515 is definately
comparable.
Uniden UBCD996T - Uniden UBC 780 XLT
AP515 UFO BOAT & CARAVAN ANTENNA
OMNIDIRECTIONAL
OMNI-DIRECTIONAL OUTDOOR TELEVISION ANTENNA
High gain portable outdoor TV Antenna. Cross folded
dipoles for perfect reception in all directions. AP515
is supplied with fully adjustable gain controller. The
Antenna amplifier can be supplied either from the AC
mains or DC power adaptor (not included). AP515 Antenna
is the perfect choice for people on the move wanting to
get the best TV signal anywhere around Australia.
Features:
Suitable for Caravans, Boats, and mobile homes
Suitable for Digital TV applications
Omni-directional 3W Antenna
Suitable for VHF/FM/UHF (CH 1-12 and 21-69) inPrime/Medium
reception Areas
High gain (Up to 36dB) with adjustable gain amplifier
box
Two TV outputs provided
Built-in low noise circuit
Comes with 12m and 1.5m Flyleads
Water-proof housing and connection
Specifications:
Frequency:
VHF: 40-230 MHz
UHF: 400-860 MHz
Antenna Gain:
VHF: 28-32dB
UHF: 32-36dB
Noise coefficient: 2.5dB
Max O/P Level: ≤ 105dBu
Impedance: 75Ohm
Power Supply: 240VAC, 50Hz or 12VDC @100mA
Size: 490 x 490 x 120 (LxWxH)