Racal device. Marine? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

hammarlund 7 · 21st Apr 2018, 12:31 pm

Could any member tell me what this is likely to be? Attached to it is approx. 15 metres of coax, it looks like it would be attached to a bracket of some sort, please see attached photo. I would appreciate any comments.

Regards Merv.G6 NJJ

G6Tanuki · 21st Apr 2018, 2:11 pm

Looks like a UHF antenna of some kind: does it have any kind of label with serial/part-number or NATO stock-number?

I'd be guessing it'd be either for GPS or perhaps for the 2.4GHz ISM band (as used for most WiFi, and also for the likes of the Bowman PRR).

hammarlund 7 · 21st Apr 2018, 6:11 pm

Hello and many thanks for info, it'll end up on the shelf marked "will come in handy one day" I'm sure we all have one or several of those!!

Kind regards, Merv.

G3VKM_Roger · 21st Apr 2018, 7:03 pm

Merv,

I agree it might be for GPS or for reception of differential corrections from shore stations, to improve the accuracy of GPS. It could also be an active antenna for broadcast bands reception or a MF antenna for NAVTEX reception or even a weather FAX HF active antenna! Racal made a whole host of systems, yours looks as though it is meant for marine use and probably was installed on top of the bridge or mainmast. If the cable length is original then it might be intended for a small vessel.

Cheers

Roger

hammarlund 7 · 21st Apr 2018, 8:28 pm

Hello Roger, many thanks,that would seem to be the answer, I got it from a sale of ex marine gear along with a JRC marine rx, it seemed too good to discard!!

Much appreciated indeed 73, Merv.

Martin G7MRV · 28th Apr 2018, 5:34 am

518kHz NAVTEX antenna

21st Apr 2018, 12:31 pm	#1
hammarlund 7 Triode Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Ormskirk, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 13	Racal device. Marine? Could any member tell me what this is likely to be? Attached to it is approx. 15 metres of coax, it looks like it would be attached to a bracket of some sort, please see attached photo. I would appreciate any comments. Regards Merv.G6 NJJ Attached Thumbnails

21st Apr 2018, 2:11 pm	#2
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,996	Re: Racal device. Marine? Looks like a UHF antenna of some kind: does it have any kind of label with serial/part-number or NATO stock-number? I'd be guessing it'd be either for GPS or perhaps for the 2.4GHz ISM band (as used for most WiFi, and also for the likes of the Bowman PRR).

21st Apr 2018, 6:11 pm	#3
hammarlund 7 Triode Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Ormskirk, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 13	Re: Racal device. Marine? Hello and many thanks for info, it'll end up on the shelf marked "will come in handy one day" I'm sure we all have one or several of those!! Kind regards, Merv.

21st Apr 2018, 7:03 pm	#4
G3VKM_Roger Heptode Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Southeast Norfolk, UK. Posts: 773	Re: Racal device. Marine? Merv, I agree it might be for GPS or for reception of differential corrections from shore stations, to improve the accuracy of GPS. It could also be an active antenna for broadcast bands reception or a MF antenna for NAVTEX reception or even a weather FAX HF active antenna! Racal made a whole host of systems, yours looks as though it is meant for marine use and probably was installed on top of the bridge or mainmast. If the cable length is original then it might be intended for a small vessel. Cheers Roger

21st Apr 2018, 8:28 pm	#5
hammarlund 7 Triode Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Ormskirk, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 13	Re: Racal device. Marine? Hello Roger, many thanks,that would seem to be the answer, I got it from a sale of ex marine gear along with a JRC marine rx, it seemed too good to discard!! Much appreciated indeed 73, Merv.

28th Apr 2018, 5:34 am	#6
Martin G7MRV Heptode Join Date: May 2008 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 951	Re: Racal device. Marine? 518kHz NAVTEX antenna __________________ I got food in ma belly and a license for ma telly My Blog - http://g7mrv.blogspot.com