Inquiries
have been made about the composition of
the GPS patch antenna currently used with
SatLink 1 and 2 transmitters. Construction
of the magnetic antenna body is a GE Plastic
called XENOY. The following information
is GE's description of that material:
XENOY® resin is
a versatile thermoplastic alloy blend of
polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polycarbonate
(PC). This product family offers good chemical
resistance, great impact resistance even
at low temperatures, heat resistance, outstanding
aesthetics and flow characteristics and
very good UV resistance and color retention.
- Very good balance of chemical and mechanical
properties
- Low temperature impact strength
- Weatherability
- Heat resistance — RTI up to 284°F
(140°C)
- UV stability
- Color retention
- Lubricity
- Outstanding melt flow
The RF cable is manufactured
by Shikoku Cable and is made of heat-resistant
black PVC, a durable material rated for
-40 to +85 C. The cables are rugged enough
for direct outdoor applications, without
noticeable deterioration for 7 years. In
general, the magnetic patch antenna with
integral cable is a rugged antenna for outdoor
applications. Obviously, this antenna is
most suited where the cable is under roof
protection or in a plastic pipe. In applications
where this is not possible, the antenna
may be mounted directly outdoors.
Remember to protect
as much of the cable as possible (simply
due to the small diameter of the cable). Given the small size, falling branches or
wildlife could possibly damage the cable.
If the cable is mounted outdoors directly,
inspect the cable once a year to determine
if it needs replacing. Shielding as much
of the cable as possible will help protect
against any damage.
If your application requires
a more rugged cable or if environmental
conditions are severe, Sutron recommends
the BulletAntenna with an RG-58 cable as a more rugged, rigidly-mounted
solution than the small magnetic patch antenna
with small cable. Consult Sutron
Sales for more information |
