OPEK 4.5 dBi 1/2 Wave 26 MHz Bandwidth (148-174 MHz) VHF NGP Pre-tuned No Cutting Ant
OPEK 4.5 dBi 1/2 Wave 26 MHz Bandwidth (148-174 MHz) VHF NGP Pre-tuned No Cutting Ant - Image 2
OPEK 4.5 dBi 1/2 Wave 26 MHz Bandwidth (148-174 MHz) VHF NGP Pre-tuned No Cutting Ant - Image 3
OPEK 4.5 dBi 1/2 Wave 26 MHz Bandwidth (148-174 MHz) VHF NGP Pre-tuned No Cutting Ant - Image 4
OPEK 4.5 dBi 1/2 Wave 26 MHz Bandwidth (148-174 MHz) VHF NGP Pre-tuned No Cutting Ant - Image 5
OPEK 4.5 dBi 1/2 Wave 26 MHz Bandwidth (148-174 MHz) VHF NGP Pre-tuned No Cutting Ant - Image 6
OPEK 4.5 dBi 1/2 Wave 26 MHz Bandwidth (148-174 MHz) VHF NGP Pre-tuned No Cutting Ant - Image 7
OPEK 4.5 dBi 1/2 Wave 26 MHz Bandwidth (148-174 MHz) VHF NGP Pre-tuned No Cutting Ant - Image 8
OPEK 4.5 dBi 1/2 Wave 26 MHz Bandwidth (148-174 MHz) VHF NGP Pre-tuned No Cutting Ant - Image 9

OPEK 4.5 dBi 1/2 Wave 26 MHz Bandwidth (148-174 MHz) VHF NGP Pre-tuned No Cutting Ant

: $60.00

SKU: OP-1229W Categories: , , , ,

OPEK 4.5 dBi 1/2 Wave 26 MHz Bandwidth (148-174 MHz) VHF Antenna

Base Loaded – Wideband Pre-Tuned No Cutting VHF Antennas

Features:

  • Wideband no tuning frequencies for seamless operation and ease of installation
  • 4.5 dBi 1/2 Wave 26 MHz Bandwidth (148-174 MHz) VHF Antenna
  • Rugged stainless steel tapered whip and heavy-duty spring for maximum durability and shock absorption
  • Thick-wall housing with double seals, O-ring, and gasket for maximum weatherproofing and environmental protection
  • Compatible with all 1-1/8″ – 18 thread mounts, including 3/4″ mounts
  • OP-1229W will operate with a ground plane (GP & NGP)
  • Overall Length: 34.8 Inches
  • Antenna Completely Assembled


Spec Sheet

We completed a comprehensive test report of the OPEK 1229W antenna vs the Comprod 576-75 antenna. Please see the attached files. These reports were provided by the manufacturer (OPEK) under a strict testing guideline.

The OPEK and Comprod are both VHF 1/2 wave, 148-174 MHz wideband, no ground plane (NGP) antennas. Both of these antennas are tuned for NGP operation, which means they work best when mounted on a fender, mirror, window, or clamp-on bracket with no or little ground plane.

When an NGP antenna is used as a ground plane (GP) antenna, the original designed frequency might shift to an uncertain frequency. The performance and original characteristics, such as VSWR and Return Loss, of the antenna may also change from the original antenna design.

OPEK designed their antennas to function according to their intended design purposes. Any other uses beyond their intended application are not guaranteed. Although, most dealers are using the NGP antennas in a GP environment without any issues.

A perfect example is using an NGP antenna on a magnet mount installed on top of a vehicle roof. In this situation, the antenna’s operating environment changes from what an NGP antenna was designed for and effectively becomes a GP application. The original frequency range of 148-174 MHz could potentially shift to 160-180 MHz, for example.

The lines on the NGP and GP reports are moving differently. See the attached files to view the difference.

We are very skeptical about how well an NGP antenna works in a GP environment and how well it compares to its competitor. We have compiled a report based on three of the most popular mounting methods on a vehicle: fender, magnet, and roof.

Please keep in mind that the bigger minus (-) of the Return Loss, the better the antenna is tuned. A star (*) marks the antenna with the lowest Return Loss at that test frequency.

We hope you find our testing results useful.

Here is what we used for testing:

  1. Agilent network spectrum analyzer model E5071C.
  2. OPEK 1229W VHF 1/2 wave 148-174 MHz pre-tuned antenna with a rubber gasket.
  3. Comprod 576-75 VHF 1/2 wave 148-174 MHz cut-tuned antenna with a rubber boot.
  4. OPEK fender bracket.
  5. OPEK 3.5″ magnet with 14′ RG58U coax cable. Note: the OPEK antennas perform best when used with the OPEK 3.5″ magnet.
  6. OPEK NMO cable assembly with 17′ RG58U coax cable on a large ground plane to mimic the rooftop.

OPEK vs Comprod w/ 3.5″ Magnet Mounting (GP Test):

Marker Freq. OPEK 1229W Pre-Tuned Comprod 576-75 Cut-Tuned
VSWR Return Loss (dB) VSWR Return Loss (dB)
1 148.00 MHz 2.04 -9.28 1.44 -14.78*
2 154.10 MHz 1.56 -13.11* 1.70 -11.68
3 158.94 MHz 1.27 -18.49* 1.46 -14.45
4 162.45 MHz 1.25 -18.91* 1.35 -16.40
5 168.12 MHz 1.22 -19.76* 1.50 -13.84
6 173.37 MHz 1.62 -12.49 1.55 -13.24*

OPEK vs Comprod w/ Fender Bracket Mounting (NGP Test):

Marker Freq. OPEK 1229W Pre-Tuned Comprod 576-75 Cut-Tuned
VSWR Return Loss (dB) VSWR Return Loss (dB)
1 148.00 MHz 1.78 -10.96* 1.86 -10.40
2 154.10 MHz 1.59 -12.75* 1.68 -11.85
3 158.94 MHz 1.27 -18.42* 1.53 -13.49
4 162.45 MHz 1.21 -20.26* 1.54 -13.44
5 168.12 MHz 1.57 -13.06 1.55 -13.26*
6 173.37 MHz 1.65 -12.17* 1.71 -11.59

OPEK vs Comprod w/ Roof Mounting (GP Test):

Marker Freq. OPEK 1229W Pre-Tuned Comprod 576-75 Cut-Tuned
VSWR Return Loss (dB) VSWR Return Loss (dB)
1 148.00 MHz 2.25 -8.28 1.80 -10.88*
2 154.10 MHz 1.72 -11.50 1.60 -12.72*
3 158.94 MHz 1.42 -15.06* 1.46 -14.55
4 162.45 MHz 1.36 -16.27* 1.52 -13.63
5 168.12 MHz 1.45 -14.66* 1.68 -11.84
6 173.37 MHz 1.75 -11.00 2.21 -8.46