DPD Productions - 'MilTenna' Air Band Antennas

MilTenna Air Band Antennas

The MilTenna line of antennas are designed specifically for the mil bands. DPDP offers three MilTenna models, shown below. The majority of our products can be used with any Uniden, RadioShack or other brand of radio scanner. If you have basic questions about antennas, please try checking the FAQ page. If you have an interest in military radios, checkout the Military Radios page.

MilTenna 225-400 MHz LP Model Antenna
MilTenna Omni UHF/VHF Air Model Antenna
Mil Mobile 1/4 Wave Antennas
Aeronautical VHF / UHF Frequency Bands
You can also check out our VHF Air Band antennas and new ADS-B Vertical Outdoor Antenna
Click for Potential Export Legal Notice

MilTenna 225-400 MHz LP Model Antenna

Note: The MilTenna LP now comes with the same horizontal
mount as the Scan and TrainTenna LP models.

FEATURES

Gain: 9 dBi

SWR: 2.0:1 or Less

Pattern: Semi-directional

F/B Ratio: 15.5 dB

Wavelength: 1/2

Elements: 10

Tuned: 225-400 MHz

Band: UHF Air

Connector: N Female

Cable: RG8X

Cable Length: 72"

Length: 48"

Front Height: 8"

Back Height: 27"

Weight: 4 lb

Wind Area: 0.51 Sq Feet

Flexible Design: Unlike Yagi designs, the LP design has more useful lobes to the sides and back. This gives the antenna a better 360 degree omni ability, with the added benefit of gain in the direction it's aimed. Why use a unity gain discone or ground plane, when you can have omni ability and directional gain as well with the LP.

Tuned to UHF Air Band: Each antenna is tuned to the UHF Air Band from 225 to 400 MHz.

Wide Bandwidth: The nature of the LP design offers a wide bandwidth. Not only is it wide in the band it was designed to operate in, but it also does pretty well in nearby bands. This will help if there's other bands you're interested in.

Solid Construction: The antenna is constructed of twin 3/4" square aluminum tube for the booms, and solid 1/4" aluminum round is used for the elements. The boom is very stiff, as are the elements. 1/4" stainless bolts and lock nuts are utilized, not flimsy dimple rivets. The entire antenna is carefully hand crafted and all aluminum is given a brushed finish.

Weather Resistant: All fasteners are stainless steel and UV resistant cable clips are used to hold the coax to the boom.

High Quality N Connector: Instead of the usual UHF connector that's included with most antennas, this antenna includes a 50 ohm female N connector. N connectors are more water resistant and handle high frequencies better. Need help choosing your main cable? Checkout the Coax FAQ

Horizontal Mount: A horizontal mast piece consisting of aluminum plate is included with the antenna. This acts as a stand-off and allows the the antenna to be positioned away from your mast in free space and vertical polarization.

Electrically Isolated: The antenna is electrically isolated from the horizontal and verticals masts.

Mounting Hardware: The necessary hardware for attaching the antenna to any standard 1 1/4" steel mast is also included. Just prepare your mast and you're all set to go.

Only Partial Assembly Required: The boom is completely assembled, along with the feeder cable and mount. The only things that need to be done yourself are attaching the elements, and putting up a mast.

AUDIO SAMPLES

Click for MilTenna LP Audio Test #1: This is an audio comparison between a standard 1/4 wave whip tuned to the middle of the UHF mil band on a good metal ground-plane, and the MilTenna LP. A 1/4 wave vertical is typically considered to be 'unity gain', as is a typical discone, so it's a good basic comparison. Note the signal quality of the tower transmissions first on the 1/4 whip. Then after you hear the tone, listen to the difference on the MilTenna LP. The antennas were connected to the same radio, and next to each other during the test.

Click for MilTenna LP Audio Test #2: This is a recording of a distant ATIS received on the MilTenna LP. Compared to the same 1/4 wave whip as above, this signal was 100% unheard with squelch completely off.

Click for MilTenna LP Audio Test #3: This is a controller working an aircraft using the same comparison as file #1. Note first how low the signal strength is on the 1/4 wave, which had to be recorded with squelch off to hear anything. Then after the tone, the same controller on the MilTenna LP.

Click for MilTenna LP Audio Test #4: This is a recording of a ground mission controller talking to an aircraft on the ground, using the same comparison as file #1 and #3.

TESTIMONIALS

"I received the MilTenna LP yesterday. I was surprised to get it so quickly. I figured something this custom would take a little while to fabricate and ship. I was also surprised with the quality. It is very well made. I work for a MIL spec electronics firm as a Quality Engineer and Training Instructor (I've been certified to MIL-STD 2000) and I am unable to make even one suggestion for an improvement. This antenna is perfect and could easily be sold to the military! I was able to put it together in 20 minutes and really didn't need the instructions although I did glance at them first. Thanks for a great product,"
Randy S. - Germantown, MD

"Just a quick note to let you know how happy I am with the MilTenna LP. I live roughly 7 miles from a military base and a sea range which are my main points of interest. My Diamond DJ-130 discone antenna (now in the attic) did a fine job picking up aircraft and ATC on UHF, but the ability to hear the aircraft transmissions while they were on the ground was rare occurrence with the discone. No longer a problem using the LP! I can easily and clearly hear about 95% of the aircraft transmitting on the ground with greatly improved ATC reception as well. It adds so much to be able to hear both sides of the conversations. As far as side and "off-beam" reception with the LP, I can hear military aircraft on UHF moving through ARRTC High and Low sectors with the same clarity and strength as my discone. Did I mention that VHF reception is good too. I wasn't expecting that! I'm also impressed with the quality of construction and materials you used in the design. I like the fact that you chose to mount the antenna close to its center of gravity. I didn't want a thick mast and/or guy wires cluttering up my rooftop. The LP is mounted 12 feet above the crown of my roof with no wires and is balanced and sturdy. I couldn't have done that with an end-mounted LP design. Thanks for a great antenna!"
Jay M.- Camarillo, CA

"I have one on my roof, and it has clearly added areas of coverage that I can't get with my discone. It's very well made and supported by an active, experienced member of the mil-scanning community. I put mine at the top of a 2.5' PVC (Schedule 80) pipe that's attached to a Radio Shack rotator and a 10' Radio Shack mast with a Radio Shack tripod that's bolted into a pair of 4' 4x4" "Trex" deck posts arranged in a T shape to prevent tip over - High gusty winds haven't moved it, and it's not bolted to the roof. I put this together in a few hours and have been happy with it ever since."
Jordan H. - NorCal

"Got the MilTenna LP up on Friday. What a really well constructed antenna. Nothing cheap or cheesy here. Not much activity here on the weekends, but what little I did hear, the MilTenna LP beats the grove scanner beam II around 3 db on 372.200. I am very happy with the purchase."
Kenneth W. - Georgetown, KY

"I just received my Miltenna LP. This is a real nice antenna...Put together very well, very sturdy, also very lightweight. Performance wise UHF air very good. I can hear stuff on UHF air that I can't hear with my Diamond Discone at the same height. VHF mil air (136-145) very good. I am also picking up my 800 mhz trunk system with full signal bars. The VHF air (118-136mhz) does take a little hit signal wise but remember this antenna is tuned mainly for 225-400mhz. I am about 25 miles north of BWI airport and am able to pick up UHF and VHF controllers. Even my VHF low (30-50mhz) comes in pretty darn good. I am using this antenna with a 100' of LMR 400 with a Male N & BNC male connectors. Overall this is a very good antenna."
John H. - Timonium, MD

"I received the MilTenna UHF LP today! Wow, that was fast, thanks! It's assembled, and currently hanging on the wall inside my office. LOL! I have it hooked up, monitoring Selfridge Air Base, and the performance is super! And you're right, it even receives VHF well! It has exceeded my expectations, and I thank you for a great product."
Bill C. - Macomb, MI

HOW TO PURCHASE

Note: Using PayPal is very simple. You do NOT need to be a member of PayPal to make a purchase. You may use a credit card like any other system. Click here to get more info on how to pay. If you would like to purchase more than one item, need something shipped outside the US, need something customized, or still prefer to pay by check, please email: dave@dpdproductions.com

One MilTenna LP Model Antenna $189.95

MilTenna Omni UHF/VHF Air Model Antenna

FEATURES

Gain: 3 VHF 4 UHF dBi

Pattern: Omni-directional

Wavelength: 1/2

Elements: 3

Tuned: 225-400, 118-137 & 138-140 MHz

Band: UHF & VHF Air

Connector: N Female

Cable: RG8X

Cable Length: 24"

Height: 45"

Width: 30"

Weight: 2 lb

Tuned to UHF & VHF Air Bands: The uniquely designed MilTenna Omni is tuned to both the UHF 225-400 MHz and 118-137 MHz Air Bands. The latest version now also includes a third set of VHF elements dedicated to the 138-140 MHz VHF band. Most other VHF/UHF bands can typically be received as well. This antenna can be quite esthetically pleasing compared to discones and other multi element antennas, and it's also more efficient. The VHF elements can be left off the antenna if desired.

DC Grounded: A metal ground plane is not needed with this design.

Wide Bandwidth: The core element of the MilTenna Omni design offers a wide bandwidth, which is what makes it appropriate for a band as large as the UHF 225-400 MHz Air Band.

Solid Construction: The antenna is constructed of 1 1/2" aluminum tube for the core element and solid 1/4" aluminum round is used for side elements. No flimsy tubing or dimple rivets are used. All aluminum is given a brushed finish.

Isolated Mast: The actual vertical structure is comprised of UV resistant plastic. This allows the actual elements to be raised into 'free space', away from your metal mounting mast.

Weather Resistant: All fasteners are stainless steel and the feed point is protected by shrink tube.

High Quality N Connector: Instead of the usual UHF connector that's included with most antennas, this antenna includes a 50 ohm female N connector, on the end of a small cable pigtail. N connectors are more water resistant and handle high frequencies better. Need help choosing your main cable? Checkout the Coax FAQ

Includes Mounting Hardware: Price includes mounting clamps to allow attaching the antenna to any standard 1 1/4" mounting mast.

Only Partial Assembly Required: The core antenna is completely assembled, along with the feeder cable. The only things that need to be done yourself are attaching the side elements, and putting up a mast.

TESTIMONIALS

"I purchased the MilTenna Omni UHF/VHF antenna from DPD Productions last week to serve as my primary attic mounted antenna for Military air and Civilian air listening. So far I am very pleased with the range of the antenna, on both UHF and VHF. I had the original UHF only Mil Antenna from DPDP and the addition of VHF makes this antenna completely worth the upgrade. The quality of the construction is top notch, and while mine is mounted indoors, I would have no hesitation mounting it outside if I could. I look forward to using this antenna for a long time."
Scott D - Thousand Oaks, CA

HOW TO PURCHASE

One MilTenna Omni UHF/VHF Model Antenna $89.95

Mil Mobile 1/4 Wave Antenna

FEATURES

Gain: Unity

SWR: 1.5:1 or Less on Center Frequency

Pattern: Omni-directional

Wavelength: 1/4

Elements: 1

Tuned: Choice of Four

Band: Choice of Four

Connector: BNC Male

Cable: RG58A/U

Cable Length: 17 Feet

Mount Type: NMO

Height: 12" to 25"

Magnet Size: 3 1/2"

Choice of Bands: There are four 1/4 wave mil/air models to choose from, including: 225-400 MHz, 148-149 MHz, 138-143 MHz and 118-136 MHz.

Quality Construction: Black copper clad stainless steel whip for 138-143 MHz and 118-136 MHz models, and black stainless steel whip for 225-400 MHz and 148-149 MHz models. All have gold plunger contact pin and O-ring gasket.

Size Compromise: The 1/4 wave is a good alternative for people needing something shorter than the 5/8 wave mobile antenna, or an antenna for lower bands where the size of a 5/8 wave is prohibitive.

Mount Included: All black 3 1/2" NMO Magnet Mount with 17' of RG58A/U, tinned double shield 95% braid plus aluminum foil, with BNC connector. (Email to possibly request other connector types.)

HOW TO PURCHASE

One Mil Mobile 1/4 Wave Model (Centered on 225-400 MHz Band - 12") $58.95

One Mil Mobile 1/4 Wave Model (Centered on 148-149 MHz Band - 22") $58.95

One Mil Mobile 1/4 Wave Model (Centered on 138-143 MHz Band - 23") $62.95

One Civ Air Mobile 1/4 Wave Model (Centered on 118-136 MHz Band - 25") $62.95
(If you will be transmitting, please make a note on your order as to what frequency you will be using, so the antenna can be tuned.)

Aeronautical VHF / UHF Bands
Frequency Range (MHz)	Band Name	Assignment
108.000 to 118.000	VHF Air Navigation	Radio Navigation (VORTAC, VOR, DME)
118.000 to 136.000	VHF Air Voice	ATC, Tower, Ground, Private, Test, Government
138.000 to 143.000	VHF Air Voice/Data	Air / Surface - Military & Government
148.000 to 149.000	VHF Air Voice/Data	Air / Surface - Military & Government
225.000 to 400.000	UHF Air Voice/Data	Air / Surface - Military & Government

Potential Export Legal Notice

NOTE: The items listed on this page may be designated as either a Munitions List Item (MLI) or Commerce Control List Item (CCLI) and are therefore subject to specific Trade Security Controls and applicable U.S. laws and regulations. The sale, transfer and/or export of MLI/CCLI property is strictly controlled and governed by the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce. In most cases, an export license or other authorization may be required. Any attempt to export or sell to a subsequent purchaser who may export should be coordinated with either the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce. Records of resale in buyer's possession should be available for Trade Security Control Office review, if requested.