Information Station Specialists will begin accepting orders for its Magnum k1 Antenna for AM radio stations above 900 kHz this weekend.
“As we celebrate 250 years of independence, many broadcasters will now be able to celebrate independence from the large land footprints and the tall towers once required for full-time operation,” the Michigan-based company said.
The company said it completed its 1,000-watt proof-of-performance at full power and modulation. Production will begin this summer. It expects some stations to take preliminary orders that are contingent upon being granted a CP for the antenna change.
President Bill Baker said the antenna “has exceeded expectations, projecting a city-grade signal on 1550 kHz up to 12 miles in some directions where only 6.8 miles was predicted.”
“On the upper AM frequencies, this new antenna can satisfy FCC standards for radiation efficiency and is capable of a kilowatt of power, providing many Class B, C and D operators an affordable means of installing a new site on a limited footprint,” according to its website.
“Only a modest flat area of earth or roof is required. At less than 50 feet in height, an installation can fly under the radar in many communities. And because the antenna’s design is series-resonant with a matching network, an antenna tuning unit is not needed.”
The antenna will cost around $20,000 to $25,000. The package includes the antenna as well as mounts, support mast and pole, guy lines, hardware and electronics in a weatherproof cabinet and assembly hardware. The company said fencing is not required when the antenna is mounted on the mast. Available options include a groundplane, roof installation kit, tuning analyzer, dual J plugs and engineering support. Users in the United States can request an advanced estimate of field intensity at 1 km / 1 kW for any site.
[Read more about the antenna design in our January story about plans for the Magnum.]
