Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Sure Antennas offers OEM repositioning kits designed for direct replacement of factory-fitted shark fin antennas on common emergency service vehicles such as the Vauxhall Astra, Skoda Octavia, and BMW X5. These kits allow the original OEM antenna to be relocated within the vehicle, freeing up the roof position for installation of a multi-function antenna. This eliminates the need for additional roof drilling and preserves the vehicle’s original aesthetic. Installation typically requires removal of the headliner to access the roof cavity and antenna base.

Yes. Sure Antennas are designed with low-profile form factors suitable for integration alongside emergency lighting and beacons. However, to ensure optimal RF performance and avoid detuning, coupling effects, and interference, it is recommended that the antenna is installed with a minimum spacing of one full wavelength from any other roof-mounted equipment. At 900 MHz, this equates to approximately 333 mm.
Where space constraints make this difficult, placement should be prioritised to maximise physical separation from RF-reflective or radiating components. Our engineering team can advise on suitable layout based on the vehicle type and operating frequencies.

Standard installation tools include a panel removal tool, coaxial cable crimper, RF torque wrench, and a step drill. We supply full fitting guides with each antenna, and custom cut templates are available for specific vehicle models upon request.

Adhesive antennas should be installed on clean, flat, and non-porous surfaces such as the vehicle bumpers or windows. Ensure there is minimal metal interference and a clear line of sight to the sky for optimal GPS and LTE performance. Surfaces must be dry and free of dust, wax, or debris before application. Avoid placing near other antennas or electronic devices that could cause signal disruption.

Yes. While our antennas are optimised for metallic surfaces where a ground plane is present, installation on non-metallic or composite roofs is also possible. In such cases, performance may be affected due to reduced ground plane coupling. To mitigate this, we recommend using an external ground plane plate or bonding foil where feasible. Our engineering team can advise on suitable installation configurations and validate expected performance through simulation or field testing.

Sure Antennas does not currently provide installation training or certification directly. However, our trusted installation partner, AVI, offers certified training programmes tailored for fleet engineers and integrators. For course availability, certification details, and enrolment, please refer to AVI’s official site www.theavi.org.uk or contact their training team.

Sure Antennas designs and manufactures multi-function, low-profile antenna systems engineered to support mission-critical communications across multiple RF bands, including TETRA, LTE (4G/5G), GPS/GNSS, UHF, and Wi-Fi. The antenna design ensures isolation between elements and optimised performance, maintaining high gain across bands. All products are designed to meet covert operational requirements, with colour matched housings that preserve vehicle OEM aesthetics. This makes them ideal for use in marked and unmarked emergency service fleets where reliable, uninterrupted connectivity is essential.

Yes. Sure Antennas are engineered to support both the Airwave TETRA Network and the Emergency Services Network (ESN). Our multi-function antenna configurations enable concurrent operation of TETRA voice services and LTE data transmission across the relevant frequency bands. Each element is optimised for isolation and matched impedance to ensure minimal cross-band interference and consistent performance under real-world operating conditions.

The gain of Sure Antennas’ multi-function systems varies by element and frequency band, typically ranging between 2 dBi and 5 dBi. For example, our Mallard and Sandcastle antenna models exhibit an average gain of approximately 3.5 dBi across LTE frequency bands spanning 698–960 MHz, 1710–2700 MHz, and 3400–3800 MHz (3.6 GHz). Each radiating element is individually matched and tuned for its target frequency range. Detailed gain charts and polar plots are available upon request for specific models.

Sure Antennas maximises RF performance through a combination of advanced materials, precision design, and simulation-led development. Using the latest electromagnetic modelling software, we optimise each antenna for radiation pattern, impedance matching, and isolation across all supported bands. Modern connectors and low-loss interface techniques minimise signal degradation, ensuring efficient power transfer. The result is consistently high gain, low VSWR, and reliable performance in multi-function applications.

Yes. All Sure Antennas products undergo comprehensive validation to ensure suitability for automotive and harsh-service environments. Our enclosures are rated up to IP69K, offering the highest level of ingress protection against dust and high-pressure, high-temperature water jets – ideal for vehicles subject to frequent washing or exposed to extreme weather. Antennas are also tested for vibration and shock in accordance with automotive standards, with operational compliance across a temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.

No. Sure Antennas only supplies GNSS elements with active configurations. Each antenna includes an integrated low-noise amplifier (LNA), typically providing 26–30 dB of gain, and requires a DC supply voltage between 3.3 V and 5 V from the connected device. Passive GNSS is not supported.

We offer the SAGPSUSB module, which converts the RF GNSS signal from the antenna into either serial or USB output. This enables GPS data to be delivered directly to devices such as mobile data terminals (MDTs), telematics units, or tracking systems that lack a built-in GNSS receiver.

Yes. Sure Antennas offers MIMO-capable configurations for LTE and Wi-Fi, including 2×2 and 4×4 MIMO support. MIMO elements are internally isolated and spaced for optimal polarisation and envelope correlation across the LTE bands (700–2700 MHz, 3400–3800 MHz) and Wi-Fi bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz). These configurations are ideal for high-throughput data environments, including ESN, mobile command, and telematics platforms.

Yes. Sure Antennas’ multi-function solutions support full integration with telematics, Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), and fleet tracking systems. Each antenna can be configured with dedicated elements for GPS/GNSS, LTE, and Wi-Fi, enabling simultaneous operation through a single, low-profile roof-mounted unit. Connector options such as FAKRA and SMA are available to match typical telematics and AVL modules used by major OEMs.

Yes. In addition to our antenna systems, we offer a range of vehicle communications equipment including coaxial cable assemblies, RF adapters, signal splitters, mounting hardware, and ancillary installation tools. We also partner with trusted suppliers to deliver complete communications packages suited to emergency and fleet vehicles.

Yes. Sure Antennas offers low-profile and glass-mounted antenna solutions specifically suited to electric and hybrid vehicles where conventional roof drilling is restricted due to battery layout, insulation requirements, or manufacturer warranty conditions. For vehicles with an existing OEM shark fin antenna, we also provide repositioning kits that allow the original antenna to be relocated internally, freeing up the roof for installation of a multi-function system without compromising structural integrity or vehicle aesthetics. These options maintain aerodynamic performance and ensure full compatibility with LTE, GPS/GNSS, Wi-Fi, and other supported bands.

Yes. Sure Antennas offers configurable antenna systems tailored to the specific technical and operational requirements of fleet deployments. Customisation options include cable length, connector type (e.g. SMA, FAKRA, N-Type), mounting interface, housing profile, and element configuration to support required frequency bands. Antennas can be tuned to optimise performance for designated network environments such as LTE, TETRA, GNSS, and Wi-Fi. Our engineering team collaborates directly with fleet managers, installers, and vehicle integrators to ensure mechanical and electrical compatibility across diverse vehicle platforms.

Sure Antennas provides comprehensive technical support for vehicle converters, upfitters, and integration specialists. This includes access to detailed installation documentation, 3D CAD files for design planning, and wiring schematics to ensure seamless integration with vehicle electrical systems. We also offer pre-installation consultation to assist with antenna selection, mounting constraints, and RF layout, as well as post-installation diagnostics to verify system performance. On-site engineering support can be arranged for fleet-scale projects or prototype builds requiring direct collaboration.

Yes. Antenna performance can be significantly influenced by the proximity of other roof-mounted components such as lightbars, roof cameras, or RF-emitting devices. These structures can introduce detuning, electromagnetic coupling, and interference, especially when installed within close proximity. To maintain optimal radiation efficiency and signal isolation, it is recommended that antennas be positioned with adequate spatial separation—ideally at least one full wavelength (e.g. 333 mm at 900 MHz) from other metallic or radiating objects. Our engineering team can provide layout guidance based on specific vehicle configurations and operating frequencies.

Yes. We offer a full range of RF connector terminations, including SMA, FAKRA, N-Type, SMB, MCX, and TNC, with options for straight, right-angle, or bulkhead variants as required. Mixed connector assemblies are fully supported and can be configured to match the requirements of different communication modules within a single installation. Each antenna is supplied with a system diagram detailing element function, cable length, and connector type to assist with integration. All cables are clearly labelled and colour coded to simplify routing and ensure correct connection during installation.

Our multi-function antennas are designed to maintain a typical VSWR of ≤ 2.5:1 across all primary bands, with many elements achieving ≤ 1.5:1 in their target range. Inter-element isolation typically exceeds 15 dB, with higher isolation achieved between adjacent wideband elements using integrated filtering and physical shielding techniques. Performance metrics are validated during final QC testing.

Lead times for standard product lines such as the Mallard and Sandcastle antennas typically range from 2 to 5 working days, subject to stock levels. Custom assemblies or fleet-specific builds may require longer lead times, depending on cable configuration and volume. We maintain rolling stock on core components to support short-turnaround deployments.

Yes. We offer full pre-terminated kits for volume fleet deployments, including pre-crimped cable assemblies, labelled connectors, installation templates, and fitting guides. Packaging can be customised for batch distribution, and quality control is maintained through batch numbers and final test verification.