VL-1220-496 Data

Aircraft Band Antenna description

Model VL-1220-496 is a small, Low Profile VHF Aircraft Band Antenna. It covers the entire Civil Aviation Band of 118-136 MHz (General Aviation). No tuning is required to adjust to a particular frequency within this range: just change the radio's frequency and you are ready to go. . . This Airband Antenna was designed for airport ground operations vehicles , where height restrictions exist: for example, traversing under aircraft wings. Measuring only 4" (10 cm) in diameter and 6" (15.3 cm) tall, this antenna is a very efficient Low Profile radiator.

VL-1220-496 Installation Guidelines

When installed properly on the metal chassis of a vehicle, this airband antenna will perform comparably with a full size 1/4 wave monopole or whip radiator. For optimum operation, install it near the center of a flat metal surface, such as the roof of a truck's cab or van. Preferably, the immediate metal surface surrounding the antenna should have a minimum, approximately flat size of 50" (127 cm) x 50" (127 cm). Although we do not recommend the use of a magnetic mount or a trunk bracket mount with small antennas, we developed the ACC-M496 Magnetic Mount accessory just for those cases where a permanent installation is not possible. The ACC-M496 Mount is made to tightly couple to the a vehicle's chassis at frequencies above 50 MHz, allowing its VHF or UHF antenna to operate without impairment.

The VL-1220-496 Aircraft Band Antenna features a DC shunt connection to the chassis to help protect its attached radio from limited Electro-Static Discharge (you will measure a short circuit when measuring across its terminals with a multimeter).

An electrically conductive chassis/ground plane is required for the proper operation of the VL-1220-496 Airband Antenna. If the intended mounting surface is non-conductive, such as a fiberglass roof: line the underside of the non-conducting surface with a thin foil of any convenient metal (Aluminum is widely used). Ensure that the NMO mount contacts the chassis/ground plane/foil securely.

Airband Antenna Spacifications

Frequency range: 118-136 MHz (VHF Civil Aviation Band)

Coverage: Omni-directional, low azimuthal ripple (1 dB)

Polarization: Linear, Vertical

Gain: +2 dBil (when mounted on a large ground plane - asymptotic gain)

Nominal Impedance: 50 ohm

Input Power: 50 Watts CW

VSWR: under 3.0 over 90% of the band

Connector: NMO, Female

Dimensions: 10 cm (4") average OD x 15.3 cm (6") h -- [OD: 9.2 cm (3.6") at top/11.2 cm (4.4") at base]

Mounting: NMO connector

Operating Temperatures: -40C to +85C

Weight: 300 g / 0.6 lbs

Shipping Weight: 400 g / 0.9 lbs (shipped individually)