Family Software Newsletter #28 - March 3, 2005

Drag Racing Computers and Software - www.iFamilySoftware.com

Topics

1. Increase Your Paging Range With New Dipole Antenna
2. Davis Daytime Aspiration Kit for Vantage Pro2

-- Increase Your Paging Range With New Dipole Antenna --
It doesn't matter what brand of UHF Paging Transmitter that you have, your range can always be improved with a better antenna. The standard antenna is a 1/4 wave, single pole design. The standard antenna is usually attached directly to the paging transmitter with a bayonet connector (BNC). Radio signals are output in a radius from the antenna. However, signals cannot pass through a metallic object. Therefore, if you have your antenna located inside a trailer with aluminum skin and/or roof, your transmission range is reduced or even eliminated. Some of the signal can leave through the open back or side doors, but now you have a directional problem. The open door must be facing the exact location of where the paging receiver is going to be. In this situation, using an external mounted antenna, will allow you the proper transmission and reception of signals.

A better design is the 1/2 wave, dipole antenna. The dipole antenna will increase your transmission range no matter where it is located because it amplifies a weak signal into a stronger one. Mounting the dipole antenna externally will boost your transmission range up to 5 times greater than with a standard 1/4 wave antenna. Our 2-watt paging transmitter has a range of approximately a 1 mile radius. The mounting location and topography of the ground can limit this range to half of that radius. By just using an externally mounted 1/2 wave, dipole antenna, our range is increased to almost 5 miles.

Our dipole antenna has two settings. Using the first setting, the antenna outputs the signal as a radius. Using the second setting, the antenna becomes directional and will boost the signal for even a greater distance. Most race tracks are not big enough to need the directional setting, but it's there if you need it.

So, regardless of whose paging system you have, if you are having transmission problems, the first place to look is your antenna. It may be just that simple.

-- REAL World Technical Support --
With Family Software, you'll get better technical support than anywhere on the planet. Why? Because, we design and/or use all of the products that we sell. All of my 30+ years of racing experience and knowledge is available to you and our other customers. Try to find that kind of information at any one of our competitors. You won't be able to, I guarantee it! Family Software cares about the racer and his/her success as a racer. We also want you to get the most value for your hard earned dollars.

-- Secure Ordering --
You can safely order directly from our web site. All of your information is handled on our Secure Server. We have established a privacy policy and it is posted on the web site. Our company is registered with the Public Eye for safe, secure ordering.

If you have questions or topics that you would like to see covered in this newsletter, please Email them to me.

Bob Kodadek
SC 1596
Family Software - Drag Racing Computers and Software
http://www.iFamilySoftware.com - 610.497.5561(Voice/Fax)

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