KUM121 endorsed by Cobham SATCOM in a two months Sea Trial Test.
Nuka Arctica, Sea Trial Vessel for KUM121
Sea Trial Test - KUM121.
KUM121 endorsed by Cobham SATCOM in a two months Sea Trial Test.
In April – June 2016, AC Antennas and one of the world's leading HF radio manufacturers Cobham SATCOM tested KUM121 in a harsh Sea Trial Test onboard the vessel Nuka Arctica between Denmark and Greenland.
The Sea Trial Test result is: KUM121 has the same outstanding receiving capabilities as the traditional 6 meters HF antenna.
 "At Cobham SATCOM we welcome KUM121 developed by AC Antennas. We recommend KUM121 as an alternative solution to the traditional long receiving HF antennas. Along with AC Antennas we conducted a Sea Trial Test on KUM121 and it showed the same excellent receiving capabilities as the traditional 6m HF antenna. I think it is very impressive that the KUM121, with a length of only 1.26m, has the same receiving capability as the passive 6m antenna. The cost reduction for installation and transport is significant, when you can install a receiving HF antenna with the size of a VHF antenna. KUM121 is available in our new Price Book as an alternative solution to the long and traditional HF antennas." Niels Peter Agdal Background In 2015, Cobham SATCOM contacted AC Antennas in order to develop a receiving active HF antenna with the size of a VHF antenna. In the development process of the KUM121, the technical staff at Cobham SATCOM has given input to AC Antennas in order to secure optimal performance for the SAILOR HF-radios. AC Antennas has tested KUM121 and Cobham SATCOM has tested the antenna at its internal test facilities. KUM121 has also been exposed to a Sea Trial Test for a period of two months. Today one year later, AC Antennas is proud to release the KUM121. With a length of only 1.26m, AC Antennas has developed a very compact receiving HF antenna. The new and shorter antenna will make installation and transportation easier and cheaper than the traditional long passive HF antenna. Objective Test of the HF receiving capabilities for the compact active KUM121 compared to the traditional long passive HF antenna in real environment with a T&T HF radio setup. | Description The Sea Trail was conducted on the vessel Nuka Arctica on three trips between Denmark and Greenland in the period 15th April – 21st June 2016. In the Sea Trial, the vessel Nuka Arctica had the traditional HF solution: KUM600-2 (6m, 2 parts) for receiving and KUM803 (8m, 3 parts) for transmission. The traditional 6m receiving HF antenna (KUM600-2) acted as the benchmark antenna for the test of the KUM121. The KUM121 was installed on the top mast.
It is important to emphasize that the KUM121 antenna must be installed at a high position with 360 degrees free sight, like all other antennas. The passive traditional antennas on Nuka Arctica were installed on the wheelhouse top. A manual switch to change between the KUM121 (1.26m, active/compact) and the KUM600-2 (6m, passive/traditional) antennas was installed in the technical room below the wheelhouse. The switch was operated manually by the crew on Nuka Arctica in accordance with the schedule for the test. Different kind of tests were carried out, depending on the vessel position; Open Sea or Close to the coast of Greenland. Click here to see the exact tests > Equipment The SAILOR 6000B HF radio was used for the Sea Trial Test of the KUM121 antenna. The 6m traditional HF antenna, KUM600 for Rx was the benchmark antenna for the KUM121. Click here to see all the specific equipment used for the Sea Trial Test > Results During the Sea Trial Test there was no significant difference in the receiving capabilities of the KUM121 compared to the KUM600-2 antenna. Click here to see the results for the tests > Conclusion The crew on board Nuka Arctica and the staff at the Greenland Coast stations expressed high satisfaction with the quality of communication. The Sea Trial showed no significant differences in the receiving capabilities between the passive KUM600-2 and the active antenna KUM121. KUM121 is hereby endorsed by Cobham SATCOM. |
