Antennas act as both spatial and frequency filters, and it is important you select the right one. The decision on which antenna you buy highly influences its performance, and it would be wise to choose the best antenna. To make sure you buy the right antenna for your need, make sure you check the capability and specification of your receiver. Other things that will influence the performance of your antenna include size, weight and environmental factors. If you are serious about buying a Satellite Antenna, here are things you should look at before making up your mind on what to buy.
First, one should look at the constellation and signals. Different Satellite Antennas are designed to receive different signals frequencies and bandwidths. The decision on what to buy is highly influenced by what you intend to achieve from buying the antenna. If you are not careful about this, you might end up buying a Satellite Antenna that will not work with your bandwidths, among other things. The best way to make sure you are buying the right product is to consult knowledgeable individuals near you. If you cannot find someone to offer you the information you need, take time to research about your receiver. This way, you will get to see all the compatible brands of antennas before reaching out to any store.
In addition to this, one should also look at the antenna gain. Gain refers to the key or the major performance indicator of a given antenna. In other words, gain refers to the antenna’s ability to concentrate or direct radiofrequency energy in a particular pattern. An antenna with higher gains should suit you better because they have a higher capability to carry more power to noise ratio. This makes it easy to track satellites easily. Looking at the antennas gain is important as it helps you choose a product that has tracking ability of the system.
The other thing one should look at before making a decision on what satellite antenna to buy is the element gain. Element gain is crucial as it influences how efficient a particular antenna receives the signals. The signal chain varies due to different factors and conditions, and one should look for something that will serve them for long and efficiently. Note that the difference in element gain offered by a particular antenna causes price variations. In most cases, the higher the gain, the higher the cost and vice versa. Your decision should not, however, be based on price but on your needs to avoid making the wrong choice.
One should also look at the phase centre stability before making a choice. The phase centre refers to the point where signals transmitted by the satellite are collected on your antenna. The centre of the antenna can also be termed as the point a receiver reports a location fix. Never but a Satellite Antenna without checking this feature to avoid making a mistake.
Buying a Satellite Antenna is not an easy exercise despite there being so many sellers out there. The decision on what to buy relies on your needs and wants.