Dielectric said BAI Communications has installed a broadband FM antenna system for the Australian Broadcasting Corp. and the Special Broadcasting Service to serve listeners in the Perth region in western Australia.
“BAI, specializing in innovative broadcast and telecommunications infrastructure and wireless solutions, chose a Dielectric DCR-U ring-style antenna to transmit up to six FM services from a single antenna,” according to the Dielectric press release.
“Three existing FM services will operate from the antenna initially, with the capacity to add three more in the future.”
Dielectric said ring-style antennas are uncommon in Australia; it said panel antennas tend to be favored for their broadband capabilities but that its DCR antenna line has expanded the broadband capacity for ring-style antennas. It quoted Matt Betts, RF engineering manager for BAI, saying this application required an antenna with reduced weight and windload.
The DCR-U eventually will serve as a secondary antenna to a panel system now in process, but for now it will operate in primary mode.
BAI and Dielectric collaborated on a circular design that blends horizontally and vertically polarized elements. Their planning emphasized coverage for the Perth region north and south, especially along the populous coast. SixArms drone measurements verified the antenna patterns.
ABC and SBS Audio services are heard by approximately 2 million listeners.
