524/527/527B Super High Gain Log-Periodic Antennas
Maximize gain and bandwidth with
an exceptionally small structure.
Highly reliable communications on long-range
circuits require antennas with high power gain
at low take-off angles. In addition, ionospheric
variations resulting in frequent changes in
frequency make a wide frequency bandwidth
desirable. The conventional approach to achieve
wide-band, highly directive antennas has been
to use multiple rhombic antennas, which rely
heavily on end-fi re gain to achieve their directivity
and hence are quite large. Typical installations
exceed 300 meters in length and require large
investments in land.
Log-periodic antennas have long been desired
for their wide band characteristics, effi cient land
use, and modest price. Until recently, increasing
the gain of a log periodic has been attempted
through end-fire techniques. This approach
results in very large structures, which are diffi cult
to support and install.
Small structures with very high gain are now
possible using techniques developed at TCI
employing broadside gain. Use of the clamped
mode technique physically increases the width
of the radiating aperture, resulting in larger
broadside gain. The width of the active region of
the Model 524 and 527/527B is 1.5 wavelengths.
Individual radiators resemble a saw-tooth
and are the electrical equivalent of “fattened”
radiators with low Q. The reduction in Q increases
the power handling capability and lengthens
the effective active region, resulting in greater
radiation effi ciency.
KEY FEATURES
Reliable communications on long-
•
range circuits
High power gain — over 18 dBi
•
Wide frequency bandwidth —
•
4 to 30 MHz
Small land area — replaces rhombic
•
twice the size
Low take-off angle
•
524/527/527B System Details
–5 0 5 10 15 20
Model 524 Antenna Azimuth and Elevation Patterns
(Azimuth pattern at elevation angle of beam maximum, gain in dBi)
o
30
4 MHz
4 MHz
0 5
20
15
10
15 MHz
o
20
o
10
o
0
o
10
o
20
o
30
o
15 MHz
30
o
20
o
10
o
0
0 5
10
–5 0 5 10 15 20
o
30
20
10
0
20
15
10
20
30
30
20
10
0
25 MHz
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
25 MHz
o
o
o
0 5
10
–5 0 5 10 15 20
o
30
o
20
o
10
o
0
20
15
o
10
o
20
o
30
o
30
o
20
o
10
o
0
NOTE: Front support
poles, normally class 2,
3, or 4 Douglas Fir, are
required but not
supplied by TCI. Check
with TCI for specific
requirements.
Model 527B Antenna Azimuth and Elevation Patterns
(Azimuth pattern at elevation angle of beam maximum, gain in dBi)
o
4 MHz
0 5
4 MHz
–5 0 5 10 15 20
16 MHz
0 5
16 MHz
–5 0 5 10 15 20
10
10
30
6.2 MHz
o
20
o
10
o
0
20
15
o
10
o
20
o
30
o
30
6.2 MHz
o
20
o
10
o
0
o
30
22 MHz
o
20
o
10
o
0
20
15
o
10
o
20
o
30
o
30
22 MHz
o
20
o
10
o
0
0 5
15
10
–5 0 5 10 15 20
0 5
15
10
–5 0 5 10 15 20
o
30
8 MHz
o
20
o
10
o
0
20
o
10
o
20
o
30
o
30
20
10
0
0
20
10
20
30
30
20
10
0
8 MHz
o
o
o
o
30
25 MHz
o
20
o
10
o
o
o
o
o
25 MHz
o
o
o
0 5
10
–5 0 5 10 15 20
0 5
10
–5 0 5 10 15 20
o
30
12 MHz
o
20
o
10
o
0
20
15
o
10
o
20
o
30
12 MHz
o
30
o
20
o
10
o
0
o
30
o
20
o
10
o
0
20
15
o
10
o
20
o
30
o
30
o
20
o
10
o
0
0 5
10
–5 0 5 10 15 20
NOTE: Front support
poles, normally class 2,
3, or 4 Douglas Fir, are
required but not
supplied by TCI. Check
with TCI for specific
requirements.
o
30
o
20
o
10
o
0
20
15
o
10
o
20
o
30
o
30
o
20
o
10
o
0
2
System Details 524/527/527B
Model 524
Antenna
The Model 524 is a single-curtain antenna three
half-wavelengths wide, resulting in a dramatic
increase in the broadside radiating aperture. The
antenna gain is 15.5 dBi minimum, 16 dBi nominal
and the azimuth beamwidth is 38°. On a long pointto-point circuit where wide azimuth coverage
is not required, this antenna provides reliable
communications with a single antenna curtain.
Model 527B
Antenna
The 527B consists of two standard transposed
dipole arrays, which are horizontally polarized
and stacked in the vertical plane. The increase
in vertical aperture decreases the H-plane
beamwidth, resulting in antenna gain of 15 dBi
while retaining an azimuth beamwidth of 64°. This
antenna is extremely useful in applications where
high gain, low take-off angles are required over a
broad azimuth.
Model 527 Antenna Azimuth and Elevation Patterns
(Azimuth pattern at elevation angle of beam maximum, gain in dBi)
o
f
o
0 5
f
o
–5 0 5 10 15 20
30
20
10
0
20
15
10
10
20
30
30
20
10
8 MHz
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
8 MHz
o
o
o
0
0 5
–5 0 5 10 15 20
10
Model 527
Antenna
The 527 consists of two 524 curtains stacked
vertically. On long-range, point-to-point circuits,
where extremely high power gain and low takeoff angle are required, the 527 will provide highly
reliable communications. Performance will
exceed that of a rhombic more than twice the
size. The 527 provides antenna gain in excess of
18 dBi and a take-off angle of 12°.
o
30
12 MHz
o
20
o
10
o
0
20
15
o
10
o
20
o
30
o
30
20
10
0
12 MHz
o
o
o
0 5
–5 0 5 10 15 20
10
o
30
o
20
o
10
o
0
20
15
o
10
o
20
o
30
o
30
o
20
o
10
o
0
16 MHz
0 5
16 MHz
–5 0 5 10 15 20
o
30
22 MHz
o
20
o
10
o
0
20
15
10
o
10
o
20
o
30
o
30
20
10
0
22 MHz
o
o
o
0 5
–5 0 5 10 15 20
10
o
30
20
10
0
20
15
10
20
30
30
20
10
0
25 MHz
o
o
o
o
o
o
25 MHz
o
o
o
o
0 5
–5 0 5 10 15 20
10
o
30
o
20
o
10
o
0
20
15
o
10
o
20
o
30
o
30
o
20
o
10
o
0
3
524/527/527B System Details
Horizontal
Polarization
It is well known that vertically polarized antennas
experience undesirable ground losses without
the use of sizable ground screens. Because the
TCI super high gain antennas are horizontally
polarized, ground losses are negligible and the
maximum possible antenna gain is actually
achieved without ground screens.
Durable Materials
All TCI antennas share the same high-quality,
exhaustively tested components and materials.
All radiators, feedlines, and catenaries are
Alumoweld, a wire composed of a high-strength
steel core and a highly conductive, corrosionresistant, welded coating of aluminum. All
feedline and radiator tip insulators are made of
high-strength glazed alumina, a material with
an extremely low loss tangent (.001), which is
virtually impervious to the effects of ultraviolet
radiation, dirt, and salt spray.
Fixed-station log-periodic antennas traditionally
have used fiberglass catenary and drop rod
assemblies for their excellent dielectric and
tensile strength properties. However, field
experience has shown that minute, difficult-todetect flaws in the material, RF burning and small
nicks incurred during installation may result in
catastrophic structural failure later on. This, along
with deterioration when stored for long periods of
time at high temperature and humidity, indicate
an opportunity for improvement. As a result, TCI
antennas use Alumoweld catenaries, broken up
by fail-safe insulators, which are not subject to
the failure modes experienced by fiberglass.
The TCI towers employ either 6061-T6
aluminum or galvanized steel. All bolts and nuts
are of the same material as the tower, thereby
eliminating all dissimilar metal contacts.
Model 524
Specifications
The Model 524 is a single curtain antenna utilizing the clamped mode fattened radiator design. The
antenna is three half wavelengths wide resulting in a dramatic increase in the broadside radiating
aperture. The antenna gain is 15.5 dBi minimum, 16 dBi nominal and the azimuth beamwidth is 38°. On
a long point-to-point circuit where wide azimuth coverage is not required this antenna provides reliable
communications with a single antenna curtain.
Polarization Horizontal
VSWR 2.0:1 maximum
Azimuth Beamwidth 38° nominal
Front-to-Back Ratio
& Side Lobe Level
Environmental Performance
❯ Size
Model Number Frequency Range
524-3-N 4–30 MHz 141 42.9 406 123.8 597 182.5
524-6-N 5–30 MHz 121 36.8 358 109 514 157
524-4-N 6.2–30 MHz 101 30.8 285 86.9 395 120.4
❯ Gain and Pattern Data
Frequency Gain LHPP TOA UHPP
fo 15.5 dBi 15° 27° 42°
15 MHz 16.0 dBi 9° 19° 29°
21 MHz 16.5 dBi 9° 17° 27°
25 MHz 16.5 dBi 8° 15° 24°
30 MHz 16.5 dBi 8° 14° 23°
❯ Power and Impedance Data
Model Number Input Impedance Power (Avg./PEP) Connector
524-N-02 50 ohm Receive Type N Female
524-N-03 50 ohm 10/50 kW 1-5/8” EIA Female
524-N-06 50 ohm 1/2 kW Type N Female
13 dB nominal
Designed in accordance with EIA Specification RS-222C for loading of 225 km/h
(140 mi/h) wind, no ice, 145 km/h (90 mi/h) wind, 12 mm (1/2”) radial ice
Optional: 160 km/h (100 mi/h) wind only, no ice
Height Length* Width*
ft. m ft. m ft. m
* Measured from extreme guy points
4
Model 527B
Specifications
The Model 527B antenna consists of two standard transposed dipole arrays which are horizontally
polarized and stacked in the vertical plane. The increase in ver tical aperture decreases the H-plane
beamwidth resulting in antenna gain of 15 dBi while retaining an azimuth beamwidth of 64°. This antenna
is extremely useful in applications where high gain, low take-off angles are required over a broad azimuth.
Polarization Horizontal
VSWR 2.0:1 maximum
Azimuth Beamwidth 64° nominal
Front-to-Back Ratio
& Side Lobe Level
Environmental Performance
13 dB nominal
Designed in accordance with EIA Specification RS-222C for loading of 225 km/h
(140 mi/h) wind, no ice, 145 km/h (90 mi/h) wind, 12 mm (1/2”) radial ice
Optional: 160 km/h (100 mi/h) wind only, no ice
Summary Specifications 524/527/527B
❯ Size
Model Number Frequency Range
527B-2-N 4–30 MHz 220 67.2 487 148.4 600 183
527B-8-N 6.2–30 MHz 151 46 330 101 410 125
Height Length* Width*
ft. m ft. m ft. m
* Measured from extreme guy points
❯ Gain and Pattern Data
Frequency Gain LHPP TOA UHPP
4.0 MHz 14.5 dBii 11° 22° 35°
6.2 MHz 14.7 dBi 10° 20° 34°
12.0 MHz 15.0 dBi 8° 17° 26°
25.0 MHz 15.2 dBi 6° 14° 21°
30.0 MHz 15.2 dBi 6° 13° 20°
❯ Power and Impedance Data
Model Number Input Impedance Power (Avg /PEP) Connector
527B-N-02 50 ohm Receive Type N Female
527B-N-03 50 ohm 10/50 kW 1-5/8” EIA Female
527B-N-06 50 ohm 1/2 kW Type N Female
5
524/527/527B Summary Specifications
Model 527
TCI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
3541 Gateway Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94538-6585 USA
Specifications
The Model 527 consists of two 524 curtains stacked vertically. On long range point-to-point circuits
where extremely high power gain and low take-off angle are required, the 527 will provide highly reliable
communications. Per formance will exceed that of a rhombic more than twice the size. The 527 provides
antenna gain in excess of 18 dBi and at a take-off angle of 12°.
Polarization Horizontal
VSWR 2.0:1 maximum
Azimuth Beamwidth 38° nominal
Front-to-Back Ratio
& Side Lobe Level
Environmental Performance
❯ Size
Model Number Frequency Range
527-2-N 4–30 MHz 221 67.5 598 182.2 781 238.1
527-3-N 6.2–30 MHz 170 51.8 388 118.3 545 166
527-6-N 5.95–26.1 MHz 184 56 442 135 610 183
❯ Gain and Pattern Data
Frequency Gain LHPP TOA UHPP
fo 16.5 dBi 10° 20° 33°
12 MHz 17.5 dBi 9° 18° 28°
25 MHz 18.2 dBi 6° 13° 20°
30 MHz 18.2 dBi 6° 12° 19°
13 dB nominal
Designed in accordance with EIA Specification RS-222C for loading of 225 km/h
(140 mi/h) wind, no ice, 145 km/h (90 mi/h) wind, 12 mm (1/2”) radial ice
Optional: 160 km/h (100 mi/h) wind only, no ice
Height Length* Width*
ft. m ft. m ft. m
* Measured from extreme guy points
TEL: 1-510-687-6100
USA: 1-800-824-8074
FAX: 1-510-687-6101
www.tcibr.com
❯ Power and Impedance Data
Model Number Input Impedance Power (Avg. PEP) Connector
527-N-02 50 ohm Receive Type N Female
527-N-06 50 ohm 1/2 kW Type N Female
527-N-28 50 ohm 5/10 kW 7/8” EIA Female
527-2-100 300 ohm Balanced
527-6-100 300 ohm Balanced
527-6-250 300 ohm Balanced
100kW AM (150kW
Avg/400 kW Peak)
100kW AM (150kW
Avg/400 kW Peak)
250kW AM (375kW
Avg/1,000 kW Peak)
Balanced Terminals
Balanced Terminals
Balanced Terminals
Company proprietary
Data and specifications subject to change without notification.
Not for distribution without prior permission from TCI.
524/527/527B-11-11-15
© 2014-2016 – All Rights Reserved
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