A compact one gigahertz antenna linked to a portable radar detection system allows the detection of small objects within one metre range. This gives the civil engineering industry a flexible tool in a variety of construction and maintenance applications. The radarsystem requires only one man operation.

Introduced by Malå GeoScience, the 1 GHz antenna has been developed for use with the company's range of ground penetrating radar systems, used throughout the geoscience sector for prospecting and surveying applications.
The new antenna will broaden the range of the applications into both the civil and construction industries. It is intended, among other things, for quality control of construction and rebar location. The system can be used to locate pipes and cables for maintenance and repair purposes, or in civil applications to detect cracks in dams, bridges or other concrete structures for example.
"In the field of archaeology it is suitable for site assessments as it can help identify small objects lying beneath the surface without the need for costly excavation during the early stages of investigation", says Börje Niva, marketing director of the company.
The new antenna is designed to bring greater flexibility to the company's established RAMAC/GPR radar system. It is the highest frequency model in a range that spans 10 MHz to 1 GHz.
All are compatible with the RAMAC/GPR lightweight radar, a portable system that requires only one man operation. The company has created a flexible data collection system which is linked to a portable computer. It uses optic fibre technology to provide the high speed communications link between antenna and control system. The software can display the information in real time which considerably speeds up on site investigations.

Caption: Lightweight and portable, the 1 GHz antenna allows a close view of hidden objects such as reinforcing bars and buried cables.

Technical details:
The 1 GHz antenna has a shielded design that is compatible with the lightweight RAMAC/GPR control system. Its 16 bit analogue to digital converter allows a transfer data rate of 4 mbits/sec. It weighs 2.1 kg and operates from a 6-12 V DC power supply.

For more information please contact:
Malå GeoScience USA Inc.
Thomas J Fenner
Airpark Business Center
400 Harvey Road
Manchester, NH 03103, USA
Phone: +1 603 627 5841, Fax: +1 603 627 5874
e-mail: tjfenner@gsinet.com

Malå GeoScience
Börje Niva
Skolgatan 11
S-930 70 Malå, Sweden
Phone: +46 953 10710, Fax: +46 953 10225
e-mail: geoscience@malags.se
Internet Home Page: www.malags.se

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