MODELS
524,
527
and 527B
Super High Gain Log-Periodic Antennas
Highly reliable communications on long-range circuits require
antennas with high power gain at lo w tak e-of f angles. In addition,
ionospheric variations resulting in frequent changes in frequency
make it desirable for the antenna to have a wide frequency
bandwidth. The conventional approach to achieve wide band,
highly directive antennas has been to use multiple rhombic
antennas which rely heavily on end-fi re gain to achieve their
directivity and hence are quite large. Typical installations exceed
300 meters in length and require large investments in land.
Log-periodic antennas hav e long been desired for their wide band
characteristics, effi cient land use, and modest price. Heretofore,
increasing the gain of a log-periodic has been attempted through
end-fi re techniques. This approach results in v ery lar ge structures
which are diffi cult to support and install.
Small structures with very high gain are now possible with
techniques developed at TCI which employ broadside gain. Use
of the clamped mode technique* physically increases the width
of the radiating aperture resulting in larger broadside gain. The
width of the active region of the 524 and 527 is one and one half
wavelengths.
Individual radiators resemble a saw-tooth and are the electrical
equivalent of “fattened” radiators with low Q. The reduction
in Q increases the power handling capability and lengthens the
effective active region resulting in greater radiation effi ciency.
Model 524
U.S. Patent No. 3,257,661
• Reliable Communications on Long
Range Circuits
• High Power Gain – Over 18 dBi
• Wide Frequency Bandwidth –
4 to 30 MHz
• Small Land Area –
Replaces Rhombic Twice the Size
• Low T ake-Off Angle
Model 527
Model 527B
Model Frequency Height Length* Width*
Number Range ft. mtr. ft. mtr. ft. mtr.
524-3-N 4–30 MHz 141 42.9 406 123.8 597 182.5
524-6-N 5–30 MHz 121 36.8 358 109 514 157
524-4-N 6.2–30 MHz 101 30.8 285 86.87 395 120.4
It is well known that vertically polarized antennas experience
undesirable ground losses without the use of sizable ground
screens. Because the TCI super high gain antennas are horizontally
polarized, ground losses are negligible and the maximum possible
antenna gain is actually achieved without ground screens.
All TCI antennas share the same high quality, exhaustiv ely tested
components and materials. All radiators, feedlines, and catenaries
are of Alumoweld, a wire composed of a high strength steel
core and a highly conductive corrosion resistant welded coating
of aluminum. All feedline and radiator tip insulators are made
of high strength glazed alumina, a material with an extremely
low loss tangent (.001) and virtually impervious to the effects of
ultraviolet radiation, dirt, and salt spray.
Fixed station log-periodic antennas traditionally have used
fi berglass catenary and drop rod assemblies on the basis of
excellent dielectric and tensile strength properties. Ho wever , fi eld
experience has sho wn that minute, diffi cult-to-detect fl aws in the
material, RF burning, small nicks incurred during installation
handing which may result in catastrophic structural failure later
on, and deterioration when stored for long periods of time at high
temperature and humidity, all contribute toward a defi nite need
for improvement. The TCI antennas use Alumoweld catenaries,
broken up by fail-safe insulators.
The TCI towers are furnished with either 6061-T6 aluminum or
galvanized steel. All bolts and nuts are of the same material as the
tower thereby eliminating all dissimilar metal contacts.
Specifi cations
MODEL 524 ANTENNA
The Model 524 is a single cur tain antenna utilizing the clamped
mode fattened radiator design. The antenna is three half
wavelengths wide resulting in a dramatic increase in the broadside
radiating aperture. The antenna gain is 15.5 dBi minimum, 16 dBi
nominal and the azimuth beamwidth is 38°. On a long point-to-
point circuit where wide azimuth coverage is not required this
antenna provides reliable communications with a single antenna
curtain.
Polarization ......................Horizontal
VSWR................................2.0:1 maximum
Azimuth Beamwidth........38° nominal
Front-to-Back Ratio.........13 dB nominal
& Side Lobe Level
Environmental..................Designed in accordance with EIA
Performance Specifi cation RS-222C for loading of
225 km/h (140 mi/h) wind, no ice,
145 km/h (90 mi/h) wind, 12 mm
(1/2") radial ice
Optional: 160 km/h (100 mi/h) wind
only, no ice
Freq. Gain LHPP TOA UHPP
fo 15.5 dBi 15° 27° 42°
15 MHz 16.0 dBi 9° 19° 29°
21 MHz 16.5 dBi 9° 17° 27°
25 MHz 16.5 dBi 8° 15° 24°
30 MHz 16.5 dBi 8° 14° 23°
Size
* Measured from extreme guy points.
Gain and Pattern Data
ELEVATION AND AZIMUTH PATTERNS (Azimuth pattern at elevation angle of beam maximum, gain in dBi)
NOTE: Front support poles, normally class
2,3, or 4 Douglas Fir, are required but not
supplied by TCI. Check with TCI for specifi c
requirements.
Model Input
Number Impedance Power Connector
524-N-02 50 ohm Receive Type N Female
524-N-03 50 ohm 10/50 kW 1-5/8” EIA Female
524-N-04 50 ohm 25/50 kW 1-5/8” EIA Female
524-N-06 50 ohm 1/2 kW Type N Female
Power and Impedance Data
Freq. Gain LHPP TOA UHPP
4.0 MHz 14.5 dBi 11° 22° 35°
6.2 MHz 14.7 dBi 10° 20° 34°
12.0 MHz 15.0 dBi 8° 17° 26°
25.0 MHz 15.2 dBi 6° 14° 21°
30.0 MHz 15.2 dBi 6° 13° 20°
Specifi cations
MODEL 527B ANTENNA
The Model 527B antenna consists of two standard transposed
dipole arrays which are horizontally polarized and stacked in the
vertical plane. The increase in vertical aperture decreases the
H-plane beamwidth resulting in antenna gain of 15 dBi while
retaining an azimuth beamwidth of 64°. This antenna is e xtremely
useful in applications where high gain, low take-off angles are
required over a broad azimuth.
Polarization ......................Horizontal
VSWR................................2.0:1 maximum
Azimuth Beamwidth........64° nominal
Front-to-Back Ratio.........13 dB nominal
& Side Lobe Level
Environmental..................Designed in accordance with EIA
Performance Specifi cation RS-222C for loading of
225 km/h (140 mi/h) wind, no ice,
145 km/h (90 mi/h) wind, 12 mm
(1/2") radial ice
Optional: 160 km/h (100 mi/h) wind
only, no ice
ELEVATION AND AZIMUTH PATTERNS (Azimuth pattern at elevation angle of beam maximum, gain in dBi)
Gain and Pattern Data
Model Frequency Height Length* Width*
Number Range ft. mtr. ft. mtr. ft. mtr.
527B-2-N 4–30 MHz 220 67.2 487 148.4 600 183
527B-8-N 6.2–30 MHz 151 46 330 101 410 125
Size
* Measured from extreme guy points.
NOTE: Front support poles, normally class
2,3, or 4 Douglas Fir, are required but not
supplied by TCI. Check with TCI for specifi c
requirements.
Model Input
Number Impedance Power Connector
527B-N-02 50 ohm Receive Type N Female
527B-N-03 50 ohm 10/50 kW 1-5/8” EIA Female
527B-N-04 50 ohm 25/50 kW 1-5/8” EIA Female
527B-N-06 50 ohm 1/2 kW Type N Female
Power and Impedance Data
524/527/B-160401© TCI, 2001
Data and specifi cations subject to change without notice.
www.tcibr.com
47300 Kato Road, Fremont, California 94538, USA • 1 800 824-8074 (USA) • Tel 1 510 687-6100 • Fax 1 510 687-6101
Specifi cations
MODEL 527 ANTENNA
The Model 527 consists of two 524 curtains stacked vertically.
On long range point-to-point circuits where extremely high power
gain and low take-off angle are required, the 527 will provide
highly reliable comm unications. Performance will e xceed that of a
rhombic more than twice the size . The 527 provides antenna gain
in excess of 18 dBi and at a take-off angle of 12°.
Polarization ......................Horizontal
VSWR................................2.0:1 maximum
Azimuth Beamwidth........38° nominal
Front-to-Back Ratio.........13 dB nominal
& Side Lobe Level
Environmental..................Designed in accordance with EIA
Performance Specifi cation RS-222C for loading of
225 km/h (140 mi/h) wind, no ice,
145 km/h (90 mi/h) wind, 12 mm
(1/2") radial ice
Optional: 160 km/h (100 mi/h) wind
only, no ice
ELEVATION AND AZIMUTH PATTERNS (Azimuth pattern at elevation angle of beam maximum, gain in dBi)
Gain and Pattern Data
Size
Model Frequency Height Length* Width*
Number Range ft. mtr. ft. mtr. ft. mtr.
527-2-N 4–30 MHz 221 67.5 598 182.2 781 238.1
527-3-N 6.2–30 MHz 170 51.8 388 118.3 545 166
527-6-N 4.95–26 MHz 184 56 442 135 610 183
Freq. Gain LHPP TOA UHPP
fo 16.5 dBi 10° 20° 33°
12 MHz 17.5 dBi 9° 18° 28°
25 MHz 18.2 dBi 6° 13° 20°
30 MHz 18.2 dBi 6° 12° 19°
* Measured from extreme guy points.
Model Input
Number Impedance Power Connector
527-N-02 50 ohm Receive Type N Female
527-N-03 50 ohm 10/50 kW 1-5/8” EIA Female
527-N-04 50 ohm 25/50 kW 1-5/8” EIA Female
527-N-06 50 ohm 1/2 kW Type N Female
527-4-100 300 ohm 100 kW AM Balanced
Balanced (150 kW Avg/ Terminals
400 kW Peak)
Power and Impedance Data
