Introduction

An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It can be used for both transmitting and receiving. In transmission, a radio transmitter applies an oscillating radio frequency electric current to the antenna's terminals, and the antenna radiates the energy from the current as electromagnetic waves (radio waves). In reception, and antenna intercepts some of the power of an electromagnetic wave in order to produce a tiny voltage at its terminals, that is applied to a receiver to be amplified. (excerpt from Wikipedia)

This is a review of Live Resin 1/35 scale antenna set US Army Thales 30 to 90 MHz 1 Meter Dummy Blade Antenna for AN/PRC-148/152 (LRE-35030), a set that is to be combined with their US Army AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (LRE-35029). The AN/PRC-148 is the most widely fielded handheld multiband, tactical software-defined radio, in use with NATO forces around the world.

Review

The US Army Thales Dummy Blade Antenna for AN/PRC-148 set is safely secured between a cardboard backing (9x10cm) with the resin pieces packed in a zip-lock bag. The CAD box art on the front shows the Thales antenna in detail, while the box art on the back shows several CAD images of the antenna set combined with Live Resin AN/PRC-148 set (LRE-35029).

The kit consists of 5 resin casting blocks each carrying 4 antennas - 20 antenna pieces all together. The grey resin parts are molded very well and with no defects that I could spot. The antennas are extremely thin and delicate, so be patient when cleaning them from their carriers. The inside of the folded whip antenna should be carefully cleaned up from the tiny resin carriers as well.

AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR) uses several different antennas for transmitting/receiving radio signals. The broadband general purpose "rubber ducky" antenna is approximately 14 inches long and covers a wide MHz range, but it is not suitable for SINCGARS operation. On the other hand, a high-performance 1 meter whip antenna depicted in this set provides a better gain across the 30 to 90 MHz frequency band, typically the frequency range for SINCGARS operation. The antenna should be extended to its maximum length for optimum distance performance with the MBITR.

This set is one of the most fascinating Live Resin kits I reviewed so far. Incredibly thin and small, the MBITR whip antennas are perfectly delivered in scale... all the tiny details were probably very difficult to define well in 1/35 scale, but the result is truly amazing. I remember I wrote Live Resin MBITR review and claimed the antennas are not included in the radio set as those would be "impossible to cast and modelers would have to add those themselves using brass or lead wire"... obviously not. Well done, Live Resin!

Conclusion

As a companion to US Army AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (LRE-35029), this set includes Thales 30 to 90 MHz 1 Meter Dummy Blade Antennas in 1/35 scale. The resin pieces are perfectly cast, but care should be taken when removing the parts from their carriers as antennas are extremely thin and delicate. With 20 identical pieces, this set probably gives all the 30-90 MHz transmission/reception power most modelers will ever need in their entire US modern grey army.

Thanks to Yaroslav from Live Resin for this review sample.

References

Thales