What are Com-Power Antenna Kits and why choose a kit over individual antennas?

Com-Power Antenna Kits are complete, portable EMC measurement systems pre-configured for specific frequency ranges and standards regimes. Each kit bundles the antennas, preamplifier(s), comb generator for site verification, the PS-500 near-field probe set, cables, and a custom compartmentalized rolling carrying case into a single airline-luggage-compatible package. Compared with assembling antennas individually, a kit provides guaranteed frequency continuity (no coverage gaps at antenna crossover points), factory-matched preamplifier selection for optimal system noise figure, bundled NIST-traceable calibration with all certificates dated together, and a single-SKU purchase that simplifies procurement. The rolling case makes offsite work — customer-site troubleshooting, contract-manufacturer qualification, or trade-show demonstrations — genuinely practical: the engineer arrives with a calibrated, frequency-continuous measurement capability in a single bag.

Which antenna kit should I choose for my application?

The correct kit is determined by three orthogonal questions: (1) your product’s frequency range, (2) the standards regime (commercial CISPR vs military MIL-STD vs avionics DO-160), and (3) the field type required below 30 MHz (H-field for CISPR, E-field for MIL-STD/DO-160). For commercial FCC Part 15 and CISPR 22/32 testing from 30 MHz to 1 GHz, the ANK-310 is the standard starter kit. For broadband wireless products requiring coverage from 25 MHz to 18 GHz in a single kit, choose the ANK-318. For microwave, millimeter-wave, or 5G FR2 work up to 40 GHz, the ANK-140 is required. For CISPR 15 lighting equipment or any commercial product needing H-field measurement below 30 MHz, choose the ANK-910L with its active loop antenna. For MIL-STD-461 RE102, RTCA DO-160 Section 21, or SAE automotive E-field measurements, choose the ANK-910M with its active monopole. The interactive Antenna Kit Selector applies cascading filters across all these criteria and recommends the correct kit in seconds.

What’s inside each antenna kit?

Every Com-Power antenna kit ships as a complete portable measurement system including: (1) antennas covering the full frequency range (biconical, log periodic, horn, active loop, or active monopole depending on the kit); (2) preamplifier(s) matched to the antennas for optimal noise figure (PAM-103 for sub-1 GHz, PAM-118A for 0.5–18 GHz, PAM-840A for 18–40 GHz); (3) a CGO-series comb generator for site attenuation verification per ANSI C63.4 and CISPR 16-1-4 before each test session; (4) the PS-500 Near Field Probe Set (400 Hz – 5 GHz) for PCB-level EMI source localization during debug; (5) all cables (N-type and BNC) needed for a standard 3-meter radiated emissions test setup; (6) individual NIST-traceable calibration certificates for every active item; and (7) a custom compartmentalized rolling carrying case sized to fit within common airline luggage envelopes, with foam inserts that immobilize each item during transport to preserve calibration.

What is the difference between ANK-910L and ANK-910M?

Both kits cover the identical 9 kHz to 1 GHz frequency range, but they differ in the antenna used below 30 MHz — and this difference reflects a fundamental physics distinction required by different standards regimes. The ANK-910L includes the AL-130R Active Loop antenna, which measures the magnetic field (H-field) — the quantity specified by commercial standards below 30 MHz including CISPR 15 (lighting), CISPR 22/32 (ITE and multimedia), and related EN 55-series standards. The ANK-910M includes the AM-741R Active Monopole (E-field rod antenna), which measures the electric field (E-field) — the quantity specified by military and aerospace standards including MIL-STD-461 RE102, RTCA DO-160 Section 21, and several SAE automotive tests. The two kits are NOT interchangeable: using the wrong field type produces measurements that cannot be certified against the standard. A laboratory testing both commercial lighting products and military/aerospace equipment typically needs both kits.

Are these kits suitable for formal compliance certification or only pre-compliance?

Each individual component in every Com-Power antenna kit — antennas, preamplifiers, and comb generators — is individually calibrated with NIST-traceable certificates, and ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration is available on request. The kit components themselves are fully compliant with the methods defined in CISPR 16-1-4, ANSI C63.4, MIL-STD-461, and related standards. However, formal compliance certification generally requires an accredited test facility — a CISPR 16-1-4 compliant Open Area Test Site (OATS) or a semi-anechoic chamber — not just calibrated antennas. The antenna kits are most commonly used for rigorous pre-compliance testing (identifying emissions issues before expensive accredited-chamber bookings), qualification and site-verification work at contract manufacturers and customer sites, and design verification throughout a development cycle. Relative measurements and troubleshooting work performed with these kits transfers directly to formal compliance outcomes.

How do Com-Power antenna kits support offsite and field testing?

Offsite and field testing is a primary design goal of every Com-Power antenna kit. Each kit ships in a custom compartmentalized rolling carrying case engineered specifically to fit within common airline luggage envelopes — checked or carry-on depending on airline and kit size. The compartmentalized foam insert immobilizes every item (antennas, preamplifiers, comb generator, probes, cables) during transport, which is essential for preserving NIST-traceable calibration during rough handling. In practice, an EMC engineer can pack a kit at the home laboratory on Monday afternoon, arrive at a contract manufacturer’s facility Tuesday morning, unpack and set up a calibrated 3-meter radiated emissions test within an hour, run site verification with the included comb generator, measure multiple products throughout the day, troubleshoot any emissions issues with the PS-500 near-field probes, and return home Tuesday evening. This workflow is practically impossible with ad-hoc antenna assemblies packed in separate cases.

What is the PS-500 Near Field Probe Set and why is it in every kit?

The PS-500 Near Field Probe Set is a complementary set of H-field and E-field probes covering 400 Hz to 5 GHz, used for PCB-level EMI source localization. When a far-field radiated emissions measurement shows a product failing the limit at a specific frequency, the question becomes: which trace, IC, cable, or enclosure seam on the product is radiating that energy? The H-field probes identify current loops on PCB traces radiating magnetic disturbance; the E-field probe identifies voltage-driven radiators like clock lines and cable shields. Including the PS-500 in every kit transforms the product from a “measurement tool” into a “diagnostic tool” — the engineer can not only confirm that a product fails but immediately begin root-cause troubleshooting to find and fix the source. This capability is invaluable during pre-compliance, debug, and rework cycles and is one of the primary reasons engineers purchase kits rather than antennas alone.

How are kit components calibrated and what traceability is provided?

Every active element in each antenna kit — all antennas, all preamplifiers, and the comb generator(s) — is individually calibrated at Com-Power’s facility before shipment. Each item ships with its own NIST-traceable calibration certificate documenting the antenna factor curve (for antennas), gain versus frequency (for preamplifiers), or output level (for comb generators) across the full operating frequency range. Certificates include the calibration date, next-calibration recommendation, equipment used, and the NIST traceability path. ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration is available on request for laboratories requiring full accreditation traceability in compliance reports. Recommended recalibration intervals are typically 12 months for active components (preamplifiers, active antennas, comb generators) and 24 months for passive antennas (biconicals, log periodics, horns). Com-Power provides recalibration services for all kit components.

📡 ANK-140: 1 GHz – 40 GHz Microwave/mmWave Kit | FCC Part 30 · 5G FR2 · CISPR 32

The ANK-140 is a complete portable microwave and millimeter-wave EMC test kit covering 1 GHz through 40 GHz in a single airline-luggage-compatible rolling case. It is the kit of choice for engineers working on 5G New Radio FR2 product qualification, K-band and Ka-band satellite communication equipment, 24 GHz and 77 GHz automotive radar harmonic coverage, FCC Part 30 (Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service), RTCA DO-160 Section 21 avionics emissions above 1 GHz, and CISPR 32 measurements extending beyond the traditional 1 GHz upper limit. At 31 lbs (14 kg), it is the lightest of the five kits despite covering the largest frequency range — a consequence of how compact microwave horns and small-signal preamplifiers are relative to low-frequency biconical and log-periodic antennas.

The kit pairs two precision horn antennas (AH-118 covering 700 MHz – 18 GHz and AH-840 covering 18 – 40 GHz) with matched preamplifiers (PAM-118A and PAM-840A) and the broadband CGO-51000 comb generator spanning the complete 1 – 40 GHz range for site verification. The ACK-140 cable kit includes phase-stable microwave cables with N and BNC connectors suitable for frequencies above 18 GHz. The optional AT-120 tripod with ATC-120 carrying case is sized specifically for the microwave horn antennas.

Key Applications:

• 5G FR2 Product Certification: 24.25 – 52.6 GHz 3GPP NR Frequency Range 2 devices, including base station radios, CPE, handsets, and module-level pre-compliance
• K/Ka-Band Satellite Communications: SATCOM terminals, VSAT equipment, flat-panel antenna arrays for commercial aviation and maritime
• Automotive Millimeter-Wave Radar: 24 GHz and 77 GHz radar harmonic coverage, sensor qualification, FMCW radar EMC characterization
• FCC Part 30 Upper Microwave: 24, 28, 37, 39, and 47 GHz licensed-band equipment for 5G and fixed wireless
• Avionics EMC (DO-160 Section 21): Above-1 GHz radiated emissions for avionics equipment up to DO-160G extended ranges
• Defense Microwave/SATCOM/EW: Radar, electronic-warfare, and defense-SATCOM equipment pre-compliance
• ISO 17025 Lab Backup Capability: Portable alternative when primary chamber is unavailable or committed to other tests

📶 ANK-310: 30 MHz – 1 GHz Starter Kit | FCC Part 15 · CISPR 22/32 · EN 55032

The ANK-310 is the starting point for most commercial EMC laboratories. It covers the classic 30 MHz to 1 GHz radiated emissions band defined by FCC Part 15 Subpart B, CISPR 22, and CISPR 32 — the core frequency range for ITE, consumer electronics, IoT, and general-purpose commercial product qualification. The biconical-plus-log-periodic antenna combination replaces the legacy tuned-dipole setup at a lower cost while maintaining NSA (Normalized Site Attenuation) calibration capability for formal pre-compliance work.

The kit pairs the collapsible AB-900A biconical antenna (25 – 300 MHz) with the compact ALC-100 log periodic (300 MHz – 1 GHz) — the two hand off at 300 MHz without a coverage gap. The PAM-103 33 dB broadband preamplifier is matched to both antennas, providing improved spectrum analyzer sensitivity across the entire 1 MHz to 1 GHz band. The included CGO-501 or CGO-505 comb generator enables site verification per ANSI C63.4 and CISPR 16-1-4 before each test session. The PS-500 near-field probe set rounds out the kit with PCB-level EMI troubleshooting capability. The optional AT-812 tripod with ATC-812 carrying case supports the antennas at the standard 1 – 4 meter test heights.

Key Applications:

• Commercial FCC Part 15 Compliance: ITE, multimedia equipment, consumer electronics, IoT devices, and general commercial products in the standard 30 MHz – 1 GHz radiated emissions band
• CISPR 22 / CISPR 32 / EN 55032 Pre-Compliance: ITE and multimedia equipment qualification for Class A and Class B radiated emissions limits
• Automotive Electronics: Body electronics, infotainment, and non-wireless automotive components
• Medical Device Pre-Compliance: IEC 60601-1-2 sub-1 GHz radiated emissions characterization
• Contract Manufacturer Qualification: Site verification at CM facilities before production ramp
• Educational & Training Labs: Complete starter kit for teaching EMC measurement methodology
• NSA Calibration Replacement: Modern alternative to legacy tuned-dipole setups for site attenuation measurements

🌐 ANK-318: 25 MHz – 18 GHz Broadband Kit | Wireless Products · CISPR 32 Extended

The ANK-318 consolidates the sub-1 GHz commercial range and microwave coverage up to 18 GHz in a single kit. It eliminates the need to carry and configure two separate kits for modern wireless products that must be tested both in the conventional 30 MHz – 1 GHz band and above 1 GHz to the 6th harmonic of their internal clocks or RF transmit frequencies. Current CISPR 32 requirements explicitly include above-1 GHz measurements for products with internal clock frequencies above 108 MHz, making the ANK-318 the right choice for any manufacturer producing Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, sub-6 GHz cellular, K-band radar, or GHz-class embedded-processor products.

The kit combines three antennas for continuous 25 MHz – 18 GHz coverage: the AB-900A biconical (25 – 300 MHz), the ALC-100 compact log periodic (300 MHz – 1 GHz), and the AH-118 horn (700 MHz – 18 GHz). Two matched preamplifiers — the PAM-103 (1 MHz – 1 GHz) and PAM-118A (500 MHz – 18 GHz) — deliver optimal noise figure across the full range. The ANK-318 is unique among Com-Power kits in including two comb generators: the CGO-520 for sub-1 GHz site verification and the CGO-5100B for above-1 GHz verification, ensuring the complete test path can be validated across the full 25 MHz – 18 GHz range before measurement.

Key Applications:

• Wireless Device Manufacturers: Wi-Fi 6/6E routers and clients, Bluetooth devices, sub-6 GHz cellular modules, Zigbee/Matter hubs
• Modern ITE & Multimedia: Products with internal clocks above 108 MHz requiring CISPR 32 testing above 1 GHz
• Automotive Infotainment: Head units, connected-car modules, K-band radar harmonic measurement
• IoT Products: Smart home devices, industrial IoT, connected appliances with multiple radios
• Medical Devices: Medical equipment with wireless data links requiring IEC 60601-1-2 extended-range testing
• Engineering Development: Single-kit solution for labs that previously needed two kits (sub-1 GHz plus microwave)
• Multi-Product Contract Testing: Third-party testing labs supporting diverse product portfolios from a single portable kit

🔄 ANK-910L: 9 kHz – 1 GHz Kit with H-Field Loop | CISPR 15 · CISPR 22/32 LF Range

The ANK-910L extends commercial EMC coverage below the conventional 30 MHz floor, reaching down to 9 kHz using the AL-130R active loop antenna for magnetic-field (H-field) measurement. This range is mandated for lighting equipment under CISPR 15, for information technology equipment under updated CISPR 22/32 limits that include the sub-30 MHz range, for switched-mode power supplies whose dominant emissions occur at kilohertz frequencies, and for wireless charging products operating at 100 – 200 kHz Qi frequencies. For any commercial product whose emission profile includes the sub-30 MHz band, the ANK-910L is the correct kit.

The AL-130R Active Loop Antenna includes an integrated active preamplifier built into the loop structure itself, providing excellent sensitivity down to 9 kHz. Above 25 MHz, the kit uses the AB-900A biconical (25 – 300 MHz) and ALC-100 compact log periodic (300 MHz – 1 GHz) antennas, providing continuous coverage up to 1 GHz without a frequency gap. The PAM-103 33 dB preamplifier supports the biconical and log periodic stages. The included CGO-501 or CGO-505 comb generator enables site verification in the sub-1 GHz range, and the PS-500 near-field probe set — particularly its H-field probes — is essential for low-frequency EMI debug at the PCB level.

Key Applications:

• CISPR 15 Lighting Equipment: LED drivers, LED lamps and fixtures, fluorescent and HID ballasts, CFL, smart lighting, dimmers — for sub-30 MHz H-field field survey work (for full CISPR 15 compliance with three-axis loop, see the ALT-930-2M)
• Switched-Mode Power Supplies: SMPS emissions characterization below 30 MHz where switching fundamentals and harmonics dominate
• Wireless Chargers: Qi and related resonant-inductive charging products operating at 100 – 200 kHz
• Inductive Heating & Industrial RF: Products with intentional or unintentional sub-30 MHz emissions
• ITE & IoT with Low-Frequency Emissions: Modern CISPR 22/32 requires sub-30 MHz coverage for certain product categories
• Complete Commercial Pre-Compliance 9 kHz – 1 GHz: Single-kit solution for FCC Part 15 and CISPR requirements including the low-frequency range

🛡️ ANK-910M: 9 kHz – 1 GHz Kit with E-Field Monopole | MIL-STD-461 RE102 · DO-160 Section 21

The ANK-910M is the military and aerospace counterpart to the ANK-910L. It replaces the active loop with the AM-741R active monopole antenna because MIL-STD-461 RE102 and RTCA DO-160 Section 21 specify electric-field (E-field) measurement using a 41-inch vertical rod antenna below 30 MHz — not the H-field loop used in commercial CISPR testing. For defense contractors, avionics OEMs, and automotive suppliers working to SAE E-field standards, the ANK-910M is the correct and standards-compliant kit.

The AM-741R Active Monopole Antenna is a vertical rod element with integrated active preamplifier, engineered to match the antenna-factor curve defined in MIL-STD-461 for the RE102 radiated-emissions test. Above 25 MHz, the kit uses the same AB-900A biconical and ALC-100 log periodic antennas as the ANK-910L, plus the PAM-103 broadband preamplifier, CGO-501/505 comb generator, and PS-500 probe set. This common base configuration means a lab operating both ANK-910L and ANK-910M kits has substantial capability overlap above 30 MHz while maintaining the distinct sub-30 MHz measurement modalities required by their respective standards regimes.

Key Applications:

• MIL-STD-461 RE102 Radiated Emissions: Military electronics, ground-based and ship-borne equipment requiring DoD EMC compliance
• RTCA DO-160 Section 21 Avionics: Aircraft electronics, cockpit avionics, aviation-grade control equipment
• SAE Automotive Standards: J1113 and related automotive EMC tests requiring E-field monopole below 30 MHz
• Defense Contractor Pre-Compliance: In-house verification before formal accredited-chamber testing for DoD acquisitions
• Aerospace Qualification Testing: Equipment destined for commercial or military aircraft certification
• Field Testing at Installation Sites: Military and aviation equipment characterization at deployment or integration locations
• FCC Part 15 Coverage: Commercial FCC testing also supported for dual-use products

Calibration Traceability as a Bundle

Every calibration certificate ships together, dated together, and stored in the rolling case with the antennas themselves. No missing certificates, no mismatched dates, no scrambling to find Wednesday’s calibration for Friday’s test. When the time comes to reference specific equipment in a compliance report, all the paperwork is in one place — this alone saves hours of documentation work over the life of the kit.

Frequency Continuity Guaranteed

The biconical-to-log-periodic handoff at 300 MHz, the log-periodic-to-horn handoff at 700 MHz, and the loop-to-biconical handoff at 25 – 30 MHz are all factory-validated for each kit. An ad-hoc assembly with the wrong biconical could leave a gap in the 250 – 320 MHz range that would not be obvious until mid-measurement. Factory-matched kits eliminate this risk.

Setup Verification Built In

Site attenuation or setup verification requires a separate comb generator purchase — and matching it to the kit’s frequency range. Without it, there is no way to confirm the test setup produces reproducible results. Every Com-Power kit includes the appropriate CGO-series comb generator covering the kit’s full frequency range, so site verification becomes a single button-press rather than a separate equipment setup.

Transport & Protection Engineered for Field Use

A biconical antenna shipped in a cardboard box or a log periodic padded with foam from Amazon is at calibration risk from the first airline baggage handler. The compartmentalized rolling case is engineered for the trip: foam cutouts match each component’s exact shape, compression-limited to prevent mechanical stress during transport. Calibration integrity is preserved from lab to customer site and back.

Near-Field Troubleshooting Included

Usually engineers must add near-field probes to an ad-hoc antenna setup separately, finding compatible H-field and E-field probes across the frequency range. Every Com-Power kit includes the PS-500 Near Field Probe Set (400 Hz – 5 GHz), giving the engineer complete diagnostic capability from day one, not as an afterthought.

Multi-Standard Labs:

Laboratories working across both commercial and military standards commonly need both ANK-910L (commercial H-field) and ANK-910M (military E-field) as these kits are not interchangeable. A full-spectrum lab covering 9 kHz – 40 GHz across all standards regimes typically combines ANK-910L or ANK-910M (or both) with ANK-140 for complete coverage. The Antenna Kit Selector helps optimize kit selection for labs with complex requirements.