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
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