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RF Guru

Horizon1090 — Active 1090 MHz ADS-B Antenna with Integrated SAW Filter

Horizon1090 — Active 1090 MHz ADS-B Antenna with Integrated SAW Filter

€89,00 EUR
€89,00 EUR
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Handmade in Belgium — Our antenna enclosures are handmade in Belgium, and each unit is assembled and tested by hand. Fulfilment times may vary with order volume. Please allow 1–4 weeks for assembly and shipping.
CE Certified — Fully tested for safety, quality, and compliance.

The Horizon1090 is a purpose-built active 1090 MHz ADS-B receiving antenna built around a custom PCB-based shifted vertical dipole. Unlike a generic whip, the geometry is designed to favor lower elevation angles, helping your receiver detect aircraft earlier and keep them longer near the horizon.

The antenna combines the radiator, a built-in SAW band-pass filter, and an integrated low-noise amplifier into one compact outdoor assembly. It is powered through the coax with a bias-t and supports both 3.3 V and 5 V operation, which makes it a practical match for many SDR receivers and ADS-B setups, including common Airspy and RTL-SDR dongles with bias-t capability.

Why this design works

  • Shifted vertical dipole geometry helps bring the effective reception angle down toward the horizon, where long-range ADS-B targets first appear.
  • Integrated SAW filter removes much of the unwanted out-of-band energy before it can desensitize the active front end.
  • Built-in LNA adds about +15 dB of gain directly at the antenna, before coax loss and receiver noise can bury weak aircraft replies.
  • Out-of-band rejection of the SAW filter is typically around 25–30 dB from DC to ~970 MHz and again from ~1150 to 1300 MHz.
  • Bias-t powered over coax keeps installation simple and avoids separate local power wiring at the antenna.

Specs at a Glance

Feature Specification
Application ADS-B / Mode S / 1090ES reception
Operating Frequency 1090 MHz
Antenna Type PCB-based shifted vertical dipole
Filtering Integrated SAW band-pass filter
Out-of-Band Rejection Approx. 25–30 dB from DC to ~970 MHz and from ~1150 to 1300 MHz
Active Gain Approx. +15 dB
Powering Bias-t over coax
Bias-t Voltage 3.3 V and 5 V supported
Connector Bottom-mounted N connector
System Impedance 50 Ω
Enclosure Material PA12-HP Nylon
Use Receive only

Included with the Product

  • Complete tested Horizon1090 antenna with integrated SAW filter and LNA
  • Handmade PA12-HP Nylon enclosure
  • Bottom-mounted N connector for direct outdoor coax connection
  • Locking antenna foot for simple mounting on the recommended tube size

Key Features

  • Custom PCB shifted vertical dipole optimized for low-angle ADS-B reception
  • Integrated SAW filter for a cleaner 1090 MHz front end
  • Approx. +15 dB active gain from the built-in low-noise amplifier
  • 3.3 V / 5 V bias-t compatible for easy use with many SDR receivers
  • Bottom-mounted N connector for robust installation and low-loss outdoor cabling
  • Handmade enclosure and individually tested assembly

Real-World Performance

In comparative testing by RF.Guru and ON5SEL, Horizon1090 detected more aircraft than commercial comparison antennas used in the same environment. The improvement is not just extra gain: the lowered reception angle, cleaner filtered front end, and low-noise amplification translate into more planes detected and more usable decodes, which is what really matters in ADS-B reception.
Actual results depend on installation height, local RF noise, coax quality, and receiver type.

Mounting & Installation

  • Recommended mast/tube: PVC tube 40 mm diameter × 3.0 mm SN4. Any other tube with the same diameter can also be used.
  • Locking foot: there is a screw in the antenna foot that locks the antenna in place by pressing firmly against the tube.
  • Non-conductive supports are best: PVC or fiberglass poles help raise the antenna without disturbing the reception pattern like a conductive mast can.
  • At our test site, the antenna was mounted at around 1.25 m above ground and still delivered excellent results.
  • This is a receive-only active antenna and must never be connected to a transmitter.

Enclosure Material & UV Protection

The enclosure is made from PA12-HP Nylon, a tough engineering material well suited to outdoor RF hardware. For long-term outdoor exposure, it is best to protect the enclosure with a non-conductive coating such as Plasti Dip. This adds a practical UV barrier and helps preserve the surface over time, while avoiding conductive paints or metallic coatings that can interfere with antenna performance.

Mini-FAQ

  • Does it need a separate power cable? — No. The antenna is powered over the coax via bias-t.
  • Which voltages are supported? — It supports both 3.3 V and 5 V bias-t operation.
  • Will it work with common SDR receivers? — Yes, it is designed for many bias-t capable SDRs, including popular Airspy and RTL-SDR dongles.
  • What tube fits best? — The recommended fit is a 40 mm diameter PVC tube with 3.0 mm wall thickness, SN4, or any other tube with the same diameter.
  • How is it locked onto the mast? — A screw in the antenna foot presses against the tube and secures the antenna in place.
  • Can I coat the enclosure for outdoor use? — Yes. A non-conductive coating such as Plasti Dip is recommended for improved UV protection.
  • Can I transmit into it? — No. Horizon1090 is a receive-only active antenna for 1090 MHz ADS-B reception.
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