M-Tech Communication Antennas
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2024 10:56 am
I acquired a set of M-Tech's long antennas to evaluate last year, but had some delays in actually getting it installed and tested.
This one to be exact: https://www.mtcomm.co.za/product/m-tech ... enna-long/
In January we were camping at the bush camp at Doorndraai Lodge near Rooiberg. Being on top of the hill, I was able to receive ORRA radio comms of people in Marakele - about 40km aweay as the crow-flies. This was obviously elevated line of sight, and I did not attempt to transmit.
This weekend, I installed the second antenna on my old man's truck, and we did a radio test yesterday. An incredible improvement in terms of range from my previous Zara quarter wave antenna. Reception remained 5/5 for over 10km as the crow flies. In a built up area with hills in between the two vehicles too. I was in Garsfontein, the old-man was heading Westward on Solomon Mahlangu. We ended up losing comms way past Waterkloof airforce base.
I think the biggest drawbacks is the cost (they are super expensive compared to the Zara) and the length of the mast. In my case, the length of the mast does not bother me too much as, being mounted on the bullbar, it is actually the exact height of the RTT. Which makes it nice and easy to see where the truck will fit when there are objects overhead...
In short: I am super impressed.
This one to be exact: https://www.mtcomm.co.za/product/m-tech ... enna-long/
In January we were camping at the bush camp at Doorndraai Lodge near Rooiberg. Being on top of the hill, I was able to receive ORRA radio comms of people in Marakele - about 40km aweay as the crow-flies. This was obviously elevated line of sight, and I did not attempt to transmit.
This weekend, I installed the second antenna on my old man's truck, and we did a radio test yesterday. An incredible improvement in terms of range from my previous Zara quarter wave antenna. Reception remained 5/5 for over 10km as the crow flies. In a built up area with hills in between the two vehicles too. I was in Garsfontein, the old-man was heading Westward on Solomon Mahlangu. We ended up losing comms way past Waterkloof airforce base.
I think the biggest drawbacks is the cost (they are super expensive compared to the Zara) and the length of the mast. In my case, the length of the mast does not bother me too much as, being mounted on the bullbar, it is actually the exact height of the RTT. Which makes it nice and easy to see where the truck will fit when there are objects overhead...
In short: I am super impressed.