Tests of the Wimo TA-1 VHF Turnstile antenna

SatNOGS Hardware
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1

Greetings,

Few months ago I started looking at various omni-directional antennas for satellite use and came across the TA-1 Turnstile antenna from Wimo. It caught my attention because:

  1. It looks different
  2. Promises 4 dB gain at low elevations
  3. The price 80€ seems reasonable (compare it to e.g. the quad-helix just below it)

I finally had a chance to test the antenna few weeks ago. I took it with me to my parents’ farm which has even less noise than my place. This way I could focus on testing the antenna rather than fighting noise :wink:

The results are amazing. It really does receive well at low elevations. In most cases I could receive NOAA APT signals already at -1 degree elevation, thanks to atmospheric refraction.

I am including a few photos and screenshots below. Please see this collection on Flickr for more photos and screenshots.

IMG_20171225_150609394.jpg2941×2206 2.32 MB

IMG_20180101_145057533.jpg3416×680 1.44 MB

turnstile-amini-400.jpg1920×1080 796 KB

NOAA-19-45867-HVC.jpg1040×1239 561 KB

NOAA-18-65005.jpg2080×1584 1.32 MB

Edit: There is now an article on my website with more details:
http://oz9aec.net/antennas/air-tests-wimo-ta-1-turnstile-antenna

5 Likes
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Nice one!!

Wonder how easy it’d be to homebrew a copy??? :wink: :wink:

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I’ll be happy to make it available for you to take measurements, but you will have to come here :grin:

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I think I have enough info now :wink: :wink:
Will experiment and see how I go :slight_smile:

5

Way better results than the AMSAT UK one I have

6

I have a very similar one (eBay) to the AMSAT UK.
2 antennas, 2m & 70cm was only $AUD150 delivered.

I can’t afford/justify the $AUS180 delivered for a single antenna from Wimo.

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Hello @csete and thanks for the very thorough analysis!

Just a naive question from my part… In the pictures I cannot understand what type of connector is used by the specific antenna. Or (even worse) it is just a cable and I have to install my self a connector?

Thanks

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Mine came with a PL female connector, which surprised me. I was expecting no connector since the product page lists several connectors that can be purchased for the cable. If you want to be absolutely sure, ask Wimo before purchase.

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Thank you @csete, I’ll do that !

10

Hello Alex, interesting article!

OZ1BXM Lars Petersen, Holstebro

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Oh yes, there is actually an article now with more details:

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12

Ground station 38 - Technikraum Lanzenhäusern also uses this turnstile antenna and they have some good receptions, see for example observation 92396

1 Like