Antennas 101

A critical yet sometimes overlooked accessory in two-way radios and two-way radio systems are antennas.  There are a wide variety of antenna types designed to provide various levels of coverage (how far the RF signal will receive or propagate), gain (expressed in dB), frequency band (ranging from land mobile radios, to cellular phones, and GPS and WiFi systems) and functionality (fixed versus mobile, single band versus multiband).  Here is an overview of the antenna applications, categories and manufacturers that Allcan Distributers distributes across Canada to their dealer and integrator network.

Frequency Bands/Applications

Allcan represents world class vendors who manufacture antennas that the cover the following frequency ranges in both fixed and mobile applications

      • Low Band, VHF, UHF, 700 & 800 MHz for LMR (Land Mobile Radios)
      • 700-2100 MHz for cellular applications
      • 900 MHz/2.4 GHz for SCADA applications in North America
      • 5/5.8 GHz for Wi-Fi applications
      • L1 (1575 MHz) & L2 (1227 MHz) for GPS applications

Base/Fixed/Indoor Antennas

    • Base antennas are incorporated at fixed sites like buildings, plants, remote offices and repeater sites
    • Depending on the application antennas can be installed on top of buildings or up a communication tower (pop-up mast, light industrial tower, heavy duty industrial tower)
    • Indoor antennas support applications related to DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems) to amplify signals for cellular and WiFi installations.
    • RF radiation patterns can be unidirectional in nature (Yagi) or radiate in a circular (omni) pattern depending on the nature of the application
    • Antennas that comprise part of a portable two-way radio device are attached to the radio and have an omnidirectional radiation pattern

Mobile Antennas

    • Mobile antennas are permanently installed in vehicles of various types and sizes and are supported with numerous cabling (low loss, shielded) and mounting options (fixed mount, magnetic mount, speciality fixed mounts)
    • RF radiation patterns are typically omnidirectional
    • Antenna form factors and profiles are designed to install on the vehicles with minimal obstruction and interference, yet provide maximum functionality and performance
Frequency Antenna
man stanfing in font of a a base station antenna
Vehicle Antenna

The Most Popular Antenna Manufacturers
& Categories for Allcan Distributors

Pctel simplifying mobility

PCTEL is an American manufacturer and global leader in high-quality and innovative antenna systems and solutions. Our most popular antennas with PCTEL are:

  • BOA Series Omnidirectional Carrier Grade Fiberglass Antennas – LMR & Cellular base station antennas
  • BlueWave Guardian (BGY) & Marathon (BMY) Series – Anodized Aluminum Yagi Infrastructure Antennas – Are used very extensively in SCADA installations
  • BMAX Molded Bases Antennas – This series offers models for many types of wireless applications, including Wi-Fi and WiMAX mobility, VHF and UHF land mobile radio, 700 Public Safety, 800 MHz and 900 MHz digital radio and AMPS/ PCS voice/data support.
  • MLPV Low Profile Vertical Antennas – These antennas provide superior pattern coverage for mobile and fixed applications from 380 MHz to 5.8 GHz.
  • PLTE 4G LTE/Cellular Panel (Directional) Antennas – multiband coverage, high gain, these are ideal for Small Cells, indoor/outdoor DAS systems, and Oil and Gas/Utility sites requiring a rugged and reliable 4G LTE/Cellular antenna solution.
Sinclair logo

Canadian based manufacturer Sinclair Technologies offers a wide variety of robust, reliable and customizable antennas designed to the highest caliber specifications and used extensively in public safety and private industry communication networks, such as emergency services (police, fire, ambulance and military), transportation, natural resources, and utilities.

  • SD Series is one of Allcan’s most popular Sinclair sellers that feature rugged exposed dipole construction and are designed for applications where moderate to higher gain is required. These premium-quality antennas are well suited to public safety/public security and private industry/commercial applications
  • Low band, Aviation, VHF, UHF frequency bands are supported in ½ wave or ¼ wave configurations
  • 5 – 10.5 dB gain range is offered in several different configurations
Pulse electrontics Logo

PulseLarsen Antennas is committed to providing outstanding antenna technology and manufacturing expertise to its customers across the globe.  Based in Vancouver, WA Pulse Larsen has delivered over 2 billion antennas world-wide and is a key supplier of antennas and accessories for Allcan Distributers.

  • NMO Series of VHF, UHF, 700/800/900/1850 MHz (coil/whip assembly) wide band ¼ wave mobile antennas that can be accompanied with a high frequency (27 MHz to 6 GHz), dual shielded RG58 cable assembly.
  • KG Series offers glass mount assemblies
  • LP Series (low profile) provides discrete type form factor
  • Multi-band antenna configurations also available
Tram logo

Tram Browning Antennas fills a very important segment for our dealer network providing high quality and multi-functional antennas at a very competitive price.

  • BR Series VHF/UHF wide band mobile antennas, NMO mount – no tuning required
  • BR2430 – high gain, low profile, multi-band (700-2700 MHz)
  • 11 Series – NMO Mount, higher gain VHF/UHF mobile antenna
  • 14 series – Fiberglass UHF/VHF base station antennas

Give us a call today and Allcan’s team of product experts can help you negotiate the multitude of antenna options to fit your land mobile radio, cellular, GPS and WiFi requirements.