Wearable antenna system

[Snaquebite]

Have you commo guys seen this?
http://wearableantenna.com/tactical_...ntenna_system/

The Tactical Vest Antenna System (TVAS) is a concealable antenna designed for military applications. The radiating elements slide smoothly over the SAPI plates inside the plate carrier, consequently placing the antenna out of enemy’s sight, and out of the radio operator’s way. The antenna system consists of two antenna inserts, two interconnecting cables, and a cable for radio connection. The TVAS also contains a quick release mechanism which allows the operator to disconnect the system in emergency situations.

Specifications
Frequency Range:30-512Mhz
Gain:-10dBi at 30.00Mhz
Power Input:7 Watts
Weight:9oz / 255.14 grams
Coverage:Omni-directional
Interconnect Wire Length:12″
Radio Compatibility:PRC-148, PRC-152, PRC-117, etc.
Radio Connector:TNC
Vest Type:Bottom-Loading SAPI
Impedance:50ohm

[AndyBear]

Yikes, that looks scary to me... Interesting notion. Any one used it yet? Or make their own? Our Echo made us antennas that we looped through our molle out of coax cable. They worked fairly well.

[systaltic]

Looks like something to build this week before max gain. (Sans the Darth Vader chest piece.)

[AndyBear]

Pictures and details please when you finish.

[FearMonkey]

The company sent myself and the other echo on the team two sets to field test in Afghanistan. They arrived at our firebase about two weeks ago and we've been using them ever since. So far they've gone through a HAF and a few GAC's.

The range has been decent so far. I don't think the clarity is as good as the long whip antenna, but it's definitely better than the short whip. So, you are sacrificing some range but on the other hand you don't have a long whip antenna smacking you in the face either or getting caught up in the vehicle which is nice.

Other issues have been that the attaching cables are designed to be break-away which is nice in theory but in application will break away if you twist your body too much or jolt your body armor. I had to re-connect my antenna 5x during an air assault raid. To remedy this I just ended up taping the cables so they won't break apart and haven't had issues since. I understand they want to make it break-away for use with break-away armor, but if in the event I need to ditch my armor I will just use a seat belt cutter to cut the cable (and all the other crap running over my shoulder; ie, camelback, push-to-talk cables, demo charges, etc).

The last issues that I did not like is that the unavoidable fact of using an antenna that is meant to go inside your body armor means you will have to actually cut a small hole in your vest to route the cables through. I think my kit undergos enough trauma as is, and I'm just not a huge fan of cutting extra holes in it.

Those issues aside, I have been happy with my wearable antenna so far. It is definitely a nice luxury to be just a bit more slick in this day and age of overweight, over-sized, and cumbersome war-fighters. I am willing to make a few small sacrifices for that luxury (slightly weaker signal than a long whip, cut a few small holes in my armor, and having to work around the break-away cables).

I look forward to seeing how it holds up for the rest of the deployment.

[SF_BHT]

Originally Posted by FearMonkey

The company sent myself and the other echo on the team two sets to field test in Afghanistan. They arrived at our firebase about two weeks ago and we've been using them ever since. So far they've gone through a HAF and a few GAC's.

The range has been decent so far. I don't think the clarity is as good as the long whip antenna, but it's definitely better than the short whip. So, you are sacrificing some range but on the other hand you don't have a long whip antenna smacking you in the face either or getting caught up in the vehicle which is nice.

Other issues have been that the attaching cables are designed to be break-away which is nice in theory but in application will break away if you twist your body too much or jolt your body armor. I had to re-connect my antenna 5x during an air assault raid. To remedy this I just ended up taping the cables so they won't break apart and haven't had issues since. I understand they want to make it break-away for use with break-away armor, but if in the event I need to ditch my armor I will just use a seat belt cutter to cut the cable (and all the other crap running over my shoulder; ie, camelback, push-to-talk cables, demo charges, etc).
The last issues that I did not like is that the unavoidable fact of using an antenna that is meant to go inside your body armor means you will have to actually cut a small hole in your vest to route the cables through. I think my kit undergos enough trauma as is, and I'm just not a huge fan of cutting extra holes in it.

Those issues aside, I have been happy with my wearable antenna so far. It is definitely a nice luxury to be just a bit more slick in this day and age of overweight, over-sized, and cumbersome war-fighters. I am willing to make a few small sacrifices for that luxury (slightly weaker signal than a long whip, cut a few small holes in my armor, and having to work around the break-away cables).

I look forward to seeing how it holds up for the rest of the deployment.

I would recommend getting a tube of Marine Goop (Shoe Goo) Dab a little on the connector break away point and it is sealed from coming apart, dust free and corrosion free. Plus it is a great adhesive when you are attaching something in the vehicle, etc..... I use it for a lot as I also work in a harsh environment. Takes a while to cure but in mission prep you doctor all your connections and let it setup for the night it is done almost forever. It cleans up post use pretty well by using a pair of needle nose pliers and pulling it off. Oh it is great for repairing shoes/boots like it was designed. They make it in a lot of types (Shoe/plummers/home/marine/etc..) I use Marine as it holds up the best in the 24/7 sun and harsh weather.

Just my 2 cents....

[systaltic]

Originally Posted by FearMonkey

The company sent myself and the other echo on the team two sets to field test in Afghanistan.

You wouldn't mind breaking one open for me would you?

Originally Posted by SF_BHT

I would recommend getting a tube of Marine Goop

YES! You just solved a problem I had with another of my antenna projects (I ended up using shrink wrap). Thanks!

[systaltic]

Originally Posted by AndyBear

Pictures and details please when you finish.

Will do. I've already bought some of the materials and the "interconnect cables" are done. My research/planning/tinkering time for the plates was side-lined this week (class, packing/preparing, IODA TACs, and my girl). I'll get back on the project when we return.

For anyone else building one:

-Remember not to seal the plates together until after you swr the heck out of different internal cable configurations. I'm finding that evenly spaced out zig-zag patterns and random repeating rectangular patterns work well (I removed the plastic, copper and clear plastic shielding from the coax within the plates).

-I'm using plastic for the plates right now due to the fact that I am still testing ideas. I don't recommend anyone use plastic for a final product. Kevlar blunt trauma pads might be a good/inexpensive solution:
http://bulletproofme.com/New%20Image...a%20Plates.jpg
(steel on the left, kevlar on the right)