Links

Parts list and suppliers

Receivers

Not all receivers are compatible with all tag types! Read more about receivers here.

Antennas and cables

166.380 MHz antennas

For Lotek Nanotags in the Western Hemisphere.
Retailer
Antenna Type
Antenna Model
Locale
Maple Leaf Communications
9-Element
9E166
Canada
Maple Leaf Communications
5-Element
5E166
Canada
Maple Leaf Communications
3-Element
3E166
Canada
Maple Leaf Communications
Omnidirectional
J166R
Canada
Samco
6-Element
SAM-160
USA
Laird Antenna
9-Element
PLC-1669
USA
Laird Antenna
6-Element
PLC-1666
USA

434 MHz antennas

For CTT LifeTags, PowerTags, and HybridTags globally.
Laird 6-Element Yagi TS4306
Retailer
Antenna Type
Antenna Model
Locale
Data Alliance
Omnidirectional
A433O5
USA
Samco
3-Element Circular-polarized
SAM-450RHCP
USA
Laird Antenna
6-Element
YS4306
USA
Laird Antenna
3-Element
YS4303
USA
Telewave
Omnidirectional
ANT450F-2
Mexico

Coaxial Cables

Most RF or antenna suppliers will sell coaxial cable cut to size and with with your choice of connection type. We recommend LMR400 cable, which is durable and low-loss. However, due to its stiffness, we also recommend a 30 cm (12-inch) jumper cable made of a lighter grade material (e.g.; LMR-240) as strain relief for connectin between the LMR-400 cable and the FUNcube dongle. Alternatively, you may use bulkheads for strain relief.
Cable type
Typical price (USD)
Impedance
Max attenuation
(dB/100 ft)
Suggested length
RG-58
< 100 ft. @ $0.83/ft.
53.5 Ohms
4.4 @ 100 MHz
6.0 @ 200 MHz
8.5 @ 400 MHz
< 50 ft./15 m
RG-213
< 100 ft. @ $1.79/ft.
50 Ohms
2.3 @ 100 MHz
4.8 @ 400 MHz
< 100 ft./30 m
TWS/BMR/
LMR-400
$1.20/ft.
50 Ohm
1.5 @ 150 MHz
2.7 @ 450 MHz
Any length

Bulkheads

Bulkheads are connectors used to attach coaxial cables to the receiver. They attach directly to the 'radios' or 'dongles' which are part of the receiver (e.g.; CTT internal radios or FUNcube dongle). These parts can be readily found online at various retailes, just make sure you search for SMA male to Type N female bulkhead. We recommend waterproof bulkheads for mounting on cases - these come with o-rings which can maintain the original IP rating of the case. The product below is a somewhat expensive example of what we normally purchase, yet we are usually able to find the for under $10 USD apiece at other retailers.
Connector 1
Connector 2
Digikey
Link
Type N Female
SMA Male
Digikey
CTT SensorStations can be ordered with bulkheads installed.
Careful not to accidentally order any parts that have 'RP' in the name. This stands for 'reverse polarity' and means the gender of the connector is opposite from normal so it will not connect to your cables or receiver.

Bandpass Filters

Frequency Range
Retailer
Link
137-174
Scanner Master

Power Supply

Category
Type
Part
Link
Solar
Wiring
Fused battery lead
Amazon

Antenna mounting structure

Category
Type
Part
Link
Pop-tower
Tripod
TRM-10L
-
Spare ¼” bolts
¼” x 2” hex bolt
-
Spare ¼” nuts
¼” lock nut
-
Spare 5/16” bolts
5/16” x 1” hex bolt
-
Spare 5/16” nuts
5/16” lock nut
-
Spare 5/16” nuts
5/16” hex nut
-
Mast
Telescoping mast
-
Quick links
⅜” Quick link
Any hardware store
-
Mast foot
Swivel base
-
-
Base plate
-
Guy wire
3/32” stainless steel wire rope
Some hardware stores
-
Wire rope thimble
3/32” Thimble
Amazon
-
Crimping sleeve
3/32” crimping sleeve
Amazon
-
Turnbuckle
5M or ¼” eye to eye turnbuckle
Amazon
-
Stainless steel wire
20-gauge Snare wire
-
In-line wire tensioner
In-line wire tensioner
Gallagher
-
Ratchet
Wire tensioner tool
Gallagher
-
-
Regular ratchet with ½” drive
Any hardware store
-
Carabiner
6M carabiner
Amazon
-
Anchor
#6 rebar (5-feet)
-
-
Ground anchor
Non-penetrating roof mount
Non-penetrating roof mount
NPRM-series (light- to heavy-duty)
-
Mast
Masting