Discone

When you do not know where a signal will come from, or which frequency it will be on, you need an antenna that listens in every direction across a wide band. A discone does exactly that. One antenna covers 30 MHz to 6 GHz across our 5 models, with an omnidirectional pattern, so a receiver can scan widely without pointing or retuning.

Our discone antennas are rugged and all-weather, need no field tuning, and install quickly, which suits permanent monitoring sites and temporary deployments.

What monitoring needs from an antenna

• Wide coverage: scan many channels and services with one antenna
• All-direction reception: pick up signals from any bearing without a rotator
• No tuning: ready to use as soon as it is mounted
• Weatherproof construction: 6.5 mm disc and cone, with the feed cable and termination enclosed in the mounting pipe
• Low intermodulation design: the all-brass construction helps reduce internal intermodulation
• Quick to deploy: cone and disc ship removed and are assembled on site

Monitoring and surveillance applications

• Spectrum monitoring: wideband listening and scanning with a receiver or analyser
• Signal discovery: finding which frequencies are active before you choose a directional antenna
• Interference detection: checking a site for unwanted emissions
• Radio communication monitoring: VHF and UHF reception
• Fixed and temporary monitoring posts: compact and quick to install, including on a portable mast

Uses marked as typical for discone antennas should be confirmed against your own product data.

Model guide for monitoring

All models are unity gain. See the full model table.

Pair it with a directional antenna

A discone tells you what is on the air. Once you find a signal, a log periodic dipole antenna lets you point toward it and gain range. Many monitoring set-ups use both.

Installation tips

• Mount the antenna high and clear of metal obstructions
• Use low-loss cable, especially at higher frequencies
• Protect the installation with a surge arrestor
• Use mounting hardware designed for the antenna

FAQs

Can one discone cover all my monitoring needs?
Often one model covers your range. SOD-7006000 spans 700 to 6000 MHz, for example. Check the table or ask for a custom band.

Is a discone good for weak signals?
A discone is unity gain, so it is best for wide coverage. For long-distance or weak signals, use a directional antenna such as a log periodic with a low noise amplifier.

Do I need a rotator?
No. The pattern is omnidirectional.