For tower hunters/techies and those interested in antenna manufacturers

[ShoresGuy]

My appreciation goes out to Frank Scholle who made me aware of this very interesting catalog from Kathrein. Kathrein is the largest antenna manufacturer in the world and is based in Rosenheim (Bavaria), Germany.

The most interesting catalogs are the CDMA, GSM and UMTS antenna brochures:

CDMA 850/1900: http://www.kathrein.de/en/mca/catalo...d/99810082.pdf

GSM: 900/1800, GSM 850/1900, UMTS:
http://www.kathrein.de/en/mca/catalo...d/99810314.pdf

UMTS Wideband:
http://www.kathrein.de/en/mca/catalo...ad/9987239.pdf

Specialized Setups (Trains/Busses):
http://www.kathrein.de/en/mca/catalo...d/99810265.pdf

TETRA/TETRAPOL/CDMA 450/GSM 450:
http://www.kathrein.de/en/mca/catalo...d/99810079.pdf

C-Panel setups:
http://www.kathrein.de/en/mca/catalo...d/99810280.pdf

Kathrein site with other antenna types:
http://www.kathrein.de/en/index_main.htm

Enjoy

[wirles]

Originally Posted by ShoresGuy ... Kathrein is the largest antenna manufacturer in the world and is based in Rosenheim (Bavaria), Germany....

The largest? Based on what? How about Andrew Corporation (soon to be part of ADC)?

http://www.andrew.com/products/antennas/

[ShoresGuy]

Kathrein has a large market share in Europe and is the largest antenna manufacturer for base station antennas:

"KATHREIN are the worlds leading manufacturer of base station antennas"

-Source: http://www.bmp.communicasia.com/inde...g1fijq726b7li1

The company is also present in the US where they obviously aren't the only manufacturer:

"Das Unternehmen ist weltgrößter Antennenhersteller." - The company is the largest antenna manufacturer in the world".

-Source: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathrein

"With more than 4,500 modern telecommunication products, we are not only the longest-standing but also the largest producer of antenna system technology, worldwide."

-Source: http://www.kathrein.de/en/index_main.htm
http://www.kathrein.de/en/company/index.htm

http://www.mobilecomms-technology.co...base/kathrein/

I'm not a market insider so surely there are other companies that can match their claim. If you want to know why Kathrein is such a big name, then you might want to contact Jonathan Kramer here on WA, he's the most versed member in terms of that sector.

[wirles]

I wasn't questioning the validity, just curious as to the benchmark of measurement.

A little funny fact; While working as a Sr. Program Mgr. at Andrew, I bought a lot of Kathrien/Scala combo GPS/BCCH antennas.

[ShoresGuy]

I didn't see it as a challenge , I was trying to find out more credible sources which could substantiate that claim made by Kathrein on their website.

It's always great to see some new faces on WA who can back up the answers regular wireless fanatics such as myself give to people asking technical-related questions. Secondly, I enjoy the technical discussions very much since the whole concept of towers/BTS/TS setups are a tad different here in Germany than back home in the US.

You should definitely have a chat with Jonathan Kramer, he's the other expert on here who checks in from time to time. You can look at his website here:

http://www.kramerfirm.com/
http://www.kramerfirm.com/cells/
http://www.towerstat.com/wireless/Kramer_Wireless.html
http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/me...an-kramer.html

So from my side, welcome to WA, nice to have you here!!

[wirles]

I am quite familiar with Mr. Kramer. I believe he is/was a member of the IAC/LSGAC and helped with some of the OET-65 content.

Thanks for the welcome note!

[fastzcar]

They may not be the largest, but what about EMS Wireless? Bigger and better do not always go hand in hand. The manufacturing is done, here, locally in the US (Norcross GA) and is not shipping another US job out of the country. This makes their 'build-to-install' time much shorter. They have pioneered several technologies that everyone uses now....

www.emswireless.com

[wirles]

Originally Posted by fastzcar What about EMS Wireless? The manufacturing is done, here, locally in the US (Norcross GA) and is not shipping another US job out of the country. This makes their 'build-to-install' time much shorter. They have pioneered several technologies that everyone uses now.... www.emswireless.com

I am very familiar with EMS, know a handful of employees, and have bought/installed their stuff. What did they pioneer? EMS Technologies is widely credited with the first wireless data link in the early 70's, but EMS Wireless is a sales/manufacturing division of the parent. Their manufacturing takes place in large part in GA, but you can't say they don't do things abroad since there is a factory in Brazil and they are using some parts from outsources vendors for some system components. They are a worthy competitor in a tightly contested market, but not the leader.

[hillbilly44]

Originally Posted by wirles I am very familiar with EMS, know a handful of employees, and have bought/installed their stuff. What did they pioneer? EMS Technologies is widely credited with the first wireless data link in the early 70's, but EMS Wireless is a sales/manufacturing division of the parent. Their manufacturing takes place in large part in GA, but you can't say they don't do things abroad since there is a factory in Brazil and they are using some parts from outsources vendors for some system components. They are a worthy competitor in a tightly contested market, but not the leader.

Wireles, I too am very familiar with EMS wireless but would take their antennas over Andrews anytime. I've used them for over 8 years on over 500 sites and I bet I can count the number of failures on 1 hand. Once we had one get struck by lightning so bad that it blew the fiberglass exterior off but the antenna was still transmitting. That made a believer outa me.

[wirles]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/2.0 (compatible; MSIE 3.02; Windows CE; PPC; 240x320) BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102 UP.Link/6.3.0.0.0)

It depends on the application. I couldn't definitively choose one over another in general. It depends on the requirement...freq., indoor/outdoor, technology, etc...

That goes for all manufacturers. Each has something they excel in.

For example, Kathrein-Scala has the best BCCH/GPS base station antenna in the world.

[hillbilly44]

Originally Posted by wirles Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/2.0 (compatible; MSIE 3.02; Windows CE; PPC; 240x320) BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102 UP.Link/6.3.0.0.0) It depends on the application. I couldn't definitively choose one over another in general. It depends on the requirement...freq., indoor/outdoor, technology, etc... That goes for all manufacturers. Each has something they excel in. For example, Kathrein-Scala has the best BCCH/GPS base station antenna in the world.

I'll agree with that. Wireles have you done any work with DAS systems? I've had luck with both Andrews & LGC Wireless.

[wirles]

Originally Posted by hillbilly44 I'll agree with that. Wireles have you done any work with DAS systems? I've had luck with both Andrews & LGC Wireless.

LGC has a decent system and the Andrew stuff is good as well. I have also used systems from Mobile Access and others.

For a little over a year, I did a tremendous amount of DAS design and installation PM work. It was mostly neutral host for PCS and WiFi purposes, but we did a fair amount of T-Mobile in-building GSM also....lots of microcells (Ericsson 2708's, if my memory isn't shot.)

[hillbilly44]

Originally Posted by wirles LGC has a decent system and the Andrew stuff is good as well. I have also used systems from Mobile Access and others. For a little over a year, I did a tremendous amount of DAS design and installation PM work. It was mostly neutral host for PCS and WiFi purposes, but we did a fair amount of T-Mobile in-building GSM also....lots of microcells (Ericsson 2708's, if my memory isn't shot.)

Wireles did you see where Mobile Access is in hot water over the Abramoff mess? They were found to have paid him $200G for help with a Gov contract.