Utility Antennas for Smart Grid & Energy Networks

Substations typically use a heavy-duty outdoor site antenna, either omnidirectional or directional, connected to the router or radio that carries monitoring and control data. Mobile Mark’s BSLLG3-600/7200 covers 617–7200 MHz and includes GNSS for timing. For substations far from a tower, directional log-periodic antennas concentrate gain toward the serving site.

A 450 MHz utility antenna operates in the 450 MHz band, where utilities increasingly run private LTE networks to cover large, often remote service areas. Mobile Mark is a member of the 450 Alliance and offers UHF base station antennas with models covering 450–470 MHz. Confirm your exact band plan with Mobile Mark engineering before selecting a model.

A SCADA antenna has to match the network the RTU, modem, or radio uses, whether that is cellular, private LTE, UHF radio, or Wi-Fi. Start with the frequency bands and number of antenna ports. Then choose omni or directional coverage based on the distance to the tower or master station, and finish with mounting, cable, and environmental requirements.

Use a directional antenna when a site links to one distant tower, and an omni antenna when it needs coverage in all directions or can reach several towers. The Mobile Mark Y42700WB-2X mounts two log-periodic antennas for 2× MIMO, with 14 dBi gain from 600–4200 MHz and 6 dBi from 4200–6000 MHz.

A narrow, low-profile surface-mount antenna fits NEMA boxes and utility cabinets where mounting depth is limited. The Mobile Mark LTBG308 covers 617–960 MHz and 1710–6000 MHz on two MIMO cellular elements, plus one GNSS element. A GPS-only version, the LTB308, is also available.

A smart meter antenna should match the meter’s network, mounting location, and signal conditions. Remote meters may need a higher-gain external antenna to reach a distant site, while meters in RF-dense areas need clean band coverage to limit interference. Mobile Mark offers low-profile, impact-resistant external antennas and flexible embedded antennas that mount inside the meter housing.

GNSS gives utility equipment accurate location and timing, which fixed sites use for network synchronization and fleets use for vehicle tracking. Many Mobile Mark antennas combine GNSS with cellular and Wi-Fi in one housing. The LTBG308, for example, receives GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS, and BeiDou.

Most LTE and 5G routers use MIMO, running two or four cellular antenna ports at once to improve throughput and link stability. Match the antenna’s cellular element count to the router’s ports. Mobile Mark’s Router Matchup Guides map antennas to platforms including Cradlepoint, Peplink, Sierra Wireless, and Digi.

A multiband vehicle antenna with an LMR mount lets one roof installation handle cellular, Wi-Fi, GNSS, and radio. Mobile Mark’s upcoming GMAX900 combines LTE/5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and GNSS with a standard NMO mount for Comtelco LMR antennas on VHF, UHF, and 700/800 MHz systems. The LTMG312 combines LMR/P25, Wi-Fi 6E, and GNSS.

Yes, Mobile Mark wideband cellular antennas that span 1710–6000 MHz or higher include the CBRS band at 3.55–3.7 GHz, which many private LTE networks use. The LTBG308, BSLLG3-600/7200, and Y42700WB-2X all cover it. Each antenna’s spec sheet lists its exact frequency ranges and gain.