Dielectric recently announced the immediate availability of new low-band VHF systems specific to Channels 4 and 5. The complete solution packages Dielectric’s circularly polarized DCR-Q FM ring-style antenna with newly developed band-tunable filters, and the company’s highly durable rigid transmission line.

The antenna systems fill an industry void for broadcasters opting out of UHF and voluntarily relocating to these two VHF channels, particularly on the filtering side where there is a clear lack of low-band VHF options. The DCR-Q meanwhile provides a far more affordable option than panel antennas that typically serve Channel 4 and 5 broadcasters, and the more compact footprint significantly reduces installation time.

The DCR-Q is a side-mounted broadband antenna initially developed through a customer request to support nine FM stations. The wideband characteristics and high power capabilities that makes the DCR-Q ideal for multichannel FM also apply to low-band VHF broadcasters that typically install panel antennas to achieve these same benefits. Its relative low weight and windload are also helpful for broadcasters seeking to avoid the costs and challenges of tower reinforcement to support heavier panel models.

Dielectric’s new specialized Channel 4 and 5 filters borrow the same efficient design characteristics as the company’s tunable waveguide filters introduced in 2017. An industry first, Dielectric’s innovative design reduces filter size and heat production inside the transmitter building, while maintaining high voltage safety margins. Once installed, the design adapts to environmental changes such as temperature and humidity, maintaining channel tuning as signals move through the RF filtering process.