The antenna’s size—D146.5*62.5mm—strikes a balance between portability and performance, a critical consideration for field surveyors who often carry equipment over long distances or challenging terrain. While larger antennas can sometimes offer higher gain, this compact design ensures that the antenna is lightweight enough for backpack mounting or integration into survey rovers, without sacrificing signal reception. The dimensions also allow for stable placement on tripods or survey poles, a key requirement for maintaining consistent orientation during data collection. The form factor is optimized for durability, with a robust housing that protects internal components from dust, moisture, and impacts—essential for withstanding the rigors of outdoor fieldwork.

Axial ratio is a key metric for circularly polarized antennas, measuring how closely the polarization matches a perfect circle. This antenna boasts an axial ratio of ≤3dB, a value that places it among the most precise GNSS antennas available. A low axial ratio ensures that the antenna efficiently receives circularly polarized satellite signals, minimizing signal loss caused by polarization mismatches. This is particularly important in surveying, where even minor signal degradation can translate into significant positional errors. By maintaining a near-perfect circular polarization, the antenna maximizes signal strength across all azimuths, ensuring reliable performance regardless of the satellite’s position in the sky.

Peak gain is a measure of the antenna’s ability to amplify weak satellite signals, and this model delivers a peak gain of ≥5dBi. While this may seem modest compared to high-gain antennas used in other applications, it is deliberately optimized for surveying. High gain can sometimes lead to narrow radiation patterns, which require precise antenna alignment—a challenge in dynamic field conditions. The 5dBi gain, by contrast, provides a balance between signal amplification and radiation pattern width, ensuring that the antenna captures signals from a wide range of satellite elevations without requiring constant repositioning. This stability is critical for long-duration surveys, where consistent data collection is essential.

The 360° horizontal coverage angle is another standout feature, ensuring that the antenna can receive signals from satellites in all azimuth directions. In GIS surveying, satellites are distributed across the entire sky, and a full horizontal coverage angle eliminates “blind spots” that could lead to data gaps. This is particularly valuable in environments where satellite visibility is limited, such as in mountainous regions or near tall buildings. By capturing signals from all directions, the antenna ensures that the receiver can track a sufficient number of satellites to calculate precise positions, even when some satellites are obstructed.

Phase center error is a critical specification for survey-grade antennas, referring to the difference between the antenna’s electrical center (where signals are processed) and its mechanical center (where measurements are taken). This antenna achieves a phase center error of 2mm, a level of precision that is essential for centimeter-level positioning. A small phase center error ensures that measurements are consistent across all satellite elevations and azimuths, eliminating systematic errors that could accumulate over large survey areas. For surveyors, this means that data collected from multiple stations can be seamlessly integrated, resulting in accurate, reliable maps and models.

The antenna is designed to operate in extreme temperatures, with a range of -40°C to +85°C. This wide operating temperature range ensures reliability in the most challenging field conditions, from frigid arctic surveys to scorching desert expeditions. The internal components are engineered to withstand thermal expansion and contraction, maintaining performance even as temperatures fluctuate. For example, in cold climates, the antenna’s electronics remain stable, preventing signal drift that could compromise accuracy. In hot environments, the housing dissipates heat effectively, avoiding overheating that could degrade performance. This temperature resilience makes the antenna a versatile tool for global surveying projects, regardless of the climate.

The mounting method—screw-based—ensures secure and repeatable installation, a key requirement for surveying. Screw mounting allows the antenna to be firmly attached to tripods, survey poles, or vehicle mounts, minimizing movement during data collection. This stability is critical because even minor vibrations or shifts can introduce positional errors. The screw mount also enables precise leveling, a necessary step in ensuring that the antenna’s phase center is aligned with the survey marker. For field teams, this translates into faster setup times and reduced risk of measurement errors caused by improper mounting.

The MCX connector provides a reliable interface between the antenna and the survey receiver. MCX connectors are known for their compact size, robust construction, and low signal loss—qualities that make them ideal for high-precision applications. The connector’s threaded design ensures a secure connection, preventing accidental disconnections during fieldwork. Additionally, MCX connectors are compatible with a wide range of coaxial cables, allowing surveyors to use cables optimized for minimal signal attenuation. This compatibility is essential for integrating the antenna with various survey receivers, ensuring flexibility in equipment selection.

While the product name mentions a TNC-K connector, it is important to note that MCX and TNC connectors are both widely used in GNSS applications, with TNC offering a larger, more rugged design suitable for heavy-duty use. The availability of both connector types highlights the antenna’s versatility, allowing it to be adapted to different receiver models and field conditions. TNC-K connectors, with their threaded coupling mechanism, provide enhanced durability in harsh environments, making them a popular choice for industrial surveying applications.