MODEL
550
Single Tower Inverted Cone
Antenna
• 1.6–32 MHz – covers entire maritime
mobile service
•Single tower
• 2.0:1 VSWR maximum anywhere in
band
• Fully effi cient
• Rugged and safe to erect
For omnidirectional HF broadcasting services, where both
ground wa ve and sky wave co verage are desired, the TCI Model
550 is an excellent choice. Electrically, the antenna is similar to
the widely used TCI 505, e xcept that it has only a single, central,
metallic tower instead of six wooden spars or poles. Because of
its large diameter to height ratio (it is electrically “f at”), the TCI
550 has excellent VSWR and pattern performance over a 20:1
frequency range instead of the 4:1 range usually associated with
single tower conical monopoles. One Model 550 will operate
down to 1.6 MHz in order to co v er all of the important Maritime
Mobile Service frequencies making the Model 550 one of the
few antennas which is optimized for this service.
The truly wideband capability is achieved with full radiation
effi ciency. There are no resistors, tuners, special coupling
units, terminations, or special devices coupling energy to the
ground which, while increasing bandwidth, signifi cantly reduce
effi ciency.
The TCI 550 is the simplest and safest to erect of this class of
antenna. No temporary guys are required during erection and
the structure is fully stable during the rigging sequence. Once
erected, the Model 550 has outstanding structural rigidity so
that troublesome defl ections and mechanical oscillations do not
occur. Fiberglass and other plastic guy materials are avoided, as
are dissimilar metal contacts.
The antenna is supplied in kit form with all required materials
including the ground screen, guy anchors, and steel mounting
hardware to be imbedded in the concrete foundations, but not
including concrete or concrete reinforcing steel.
As with all TCI antennas, the Model 550 employs high quality,
exhaustively tested components and materials. All radiators and
catenaries are of Alumo weld, a wire composed of a high strength
steel core and a highly conductive corrosion resistant welded
coating of aluminum. All feedline and radiator tip insulators
are made of high strength glazed alumina, a material with an
extremely lo w loss tangent (.001) and virtually impervious to the
effects of ultraviolet radiation, dirt, and salt spray.
Power
Model Input Handling
Number Impedance Capability Connector
550-N-02 50 ohms Receive 7/8” EIA Female
550-N-03 50 ohms Transmit 15/8” EIA Female
550-N-04 50 ohms Transmit 35/8” EIA Female
550-N-05 50 ohms Transmit 7/8” EIA Female
530-N-06 50 ohms Receive Type N Female
550-260301© TCI, 2001
Data and specifi cations subject to change without notice.
www.tcibr.com
Specifi cations
47300 Kato Road, Fremont, California 94538, USA • 1 800 824-8074 (USA) • Tel 1 510 687-6100 • Fax 1 510 687-6101
Power & Impedance Data
Elevation Patterns gain in dBi over perfect earth
Polarization .............Vertical
Radiation Patterns
Elevation................. See patterns below
Azimuth...................Circular within +0.75 dB
VSWR....................... 2.0:1 or less in specifi ed frequency range
Environmental.........Designed in accordance with EIA
Performance............Specifi cation RS-222C for loading of
160km/h (100 mi/h) wind, (Higher
environmental capability available upon
request)
Power Capability.....40 kW average/160 kW PEP (Actual power
capability is limited by connector used.)
No matching unit is needed.
Size and Frequency Data
Model Frequency Height Diameter*
Number Range ft. mtr. ft. mtr.
550-1-N 1.9–32 MHz 122 37.2 250 76.2
550-2-N 2.3–32 MHz 102 31.0 209 63.7
550-3-N 2.8–32 MHz 82 25.0 168 51.2
550-4-N 3.8–32 MHz 62 18.9 127 38.7
550-5-N 5.5–32 MHz 42 12.8 86 26.2
550-6-N 1.6–32 MHz 142 43.3 291 88.7
* Guy to guy. (Ground screen included within this diameter.)
1. Lighting Kit (Lighting transformer may cause maximum
VSWR to be 2.2:1.)
2. Lighting Arrestor/Static Drain Kit.
Optional Equipment:
