Land-Based Antennas

Dartcom 1.2m land-based antenna
Dartcom 1.2m land-based antenna

Dartcom radome-enclosed 1.5m land-based antenna
Dartcom radome-enclosed 1.5m land-based antenna

Integrated feed/downconverter specifications
Feed:  
    Beamwidth 3dB at 80°
10dB at 150°
    Gain +4.5dBi
    Polarisation Right-hand circular
Input filter:  
    Insertion loss 0.3dB maximum
    Bandwidth 120MHz maximum
Overall:  
    Noise figure 1.2dB typical
    Gain 60dB minimum
    Converted bandwidth 50MHz typical
    Input range 1682–1710MHz
    IF output 117–145MHz

1.2m and radome-enclosed 1.5m antenna options are available for land-based ground stations. Both provide continuous tracking of satellites with no “cone of silence” (data loss at high elevations).

The Dartcom XPA dual-axis rotator controller with PID function and closed-loop feedback gives excellent pointing accuracy and smooth satellite tracking. A high-speed RS-232/RS-422 serial data link allows the ingest PC to control the rotator and provide status information and diagnostics.

The reflector is a prime focus aluminium parabolic dish finished in matt white paint (RAL 9010). An integrated feed/downconverter (IFD) is mounted at the focal point in a hermetically sealed unit.

The 1.5m antenna allows future system upgrades to receive X-Band EOS data from Terra, Aqua, Suomi-NPP, JPSS and FY-3 satellites.

1.2m parabolic dish and rotator

The 1.2m antenna has a 0.38 F/D ratio and 24.4dBi gain to achieve a system G/T of better than 2.6dBK at 1.7GHz and 5° elevation, and a bit error rate of better than 1:106 from 3.5° elevation.

The dish is mounted on the rotator using a counter-weighted aluminium frame assembly. The rotator is a compact unit with a separate housing for the power supply and controller which is mounted on the pedestal.

The whole dish and rotator assembly is mounted on a galvanised steel pedestal for fixing to a suitable concrete base or steel structure.

1.5m radome-enclosed parabolic dish and rotator

The 1.5m antenna has a 0.36 F/D ratio and 26.0dBi gain to achieve a system G/T of better than 4.3dBK at 1.7GHz and 5° elevation, and a bit error rate of better than 1:106 from 2° elevation.

The dish is mounted on the rotator using a counter-weighted aluminium frame assembly. The rotator is a compact unit with a separate housing for the power supply and controller which is mounted on the pedestal.

The dish and rotator assembly is mounted on a zinc plated, powder coated steel pedestal and enclosed in a two-part (plus base) composite radome with an inspection hatch on the bottom or side. The radome can be fixed to a suitable concrete base or steel structure.

Land-based antenna specifications
  1.2m antenna 1.5m antenna
Bit error rate 1:106 from 3.5° elevation 1:106 from 2° elevation
Azimuth range 0° to 359.9° (minimum) 0° to 359.9° (minimum)
Elevation range 0° to 180° (minimum) 0° to 180° (minimum)
Azimuth rate 10°/second (±10%) 48°/second (±10%)
Elevation rate 10°/second (±10%) 10°/second (±10%)
Mechanical tolerance ±0.15° azimuth
±0.15° elevation
±0.15° azimuth
±0.15° elevation
Tracking accuracy ±0.1° ±0.1°
Temperature –20°C to +60°C operational –20°C to +60°C operational
(–40°C with optional heater)
Wind speeds 85km/h (46kt) operational
145km/h (78kt) survival
185km/h (100kt) operational
240km/h (130kt) survival


Marine Antenna