The Ebyte TX868 series is a complete family of 11 omnidirectional 868MHz antennas for European ISM and Sub-1GHz LoRa deployments, spanning heavy-duty 260~850mm N-J (N-Male) fiberglass radome models with 3dBi~9dBi gain and up to 100W power handling, bendable 52~200mm SMA-J and IPEX-1 rubber whip antennas, an IPEX-1 cabinet mount whip, and a magnetic-base SMA-J suction-mount antenna with 1m RG174 coaxial cable, all matched to 50Ω impedance.
Key Features & Advantages
- Dedicated 868MHz EU ISM Band Tuning: Each model is factory-tuned for the 868MHz ISM band (frequency ranges from 826~898MHz up to 860~940MHz depending on model), delivering low VSWR and maximum radiation efficiency for LoRa, wireless M-Bus, metering and private telemetry networks.
- Fiberglass Radome for Harsh Outdoors: BLG models enclose a collinear multi-element dipole array inside a UV-resistant, waterproof, windproof and sealed fiberglass (FRP) radome (Φ20mm), rated for -40°C to +85°C and base-station grade 24/7 outdoor service.
- Gain Ladder from 2dBi to 9dBi: Choose 3dBi compact 260mm, 5.5dBi 400mm, 8dBi 550mm or 9dBi 850mm fiberglass models to scale link budget with terrain and distance, or 2~3.5dBi rubber-whip models for terminals, cabinets and mobile equipment.
- Standard Industrial RF Connectors: Heavy-duty N-J (N-Male) on fiberglass models, SMA-J (male thread / male pin) on whip and suction models, and IPEX-1 (U.FL) on module-mount models, all 50Ω matched for direct connection to DTUs, gateways, APs and wireless modules.
- Bendable Whip & Magnetic Mount Options: TPEE/ABS rubber antennas (JK/JKD/JKS/JZ/JZR) flex without damage for mobile and cabinet use; the XPL-100 suction antenna sticks to any metal surface with a strong magnetic base and 1m RG174 cable for instant deployment.
Core Specifications
| Parameter | TX868-BLG-26 | TX868-BLG-40 | TX868-BLG-55 | TX868-BLG-85 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 860~940MHz (ctr 868) | 826~898MHz (ctr 868) | 860~940MHz (ctr 868) | 850~940MHz (ctr 868) |
| Gain | 3.0 dBi | 5.5 dBi | 8 dBi | 9 dBi |
| VSWR | ≤2.0 | ≤1.5 | ≤1.5 | ≤1.5 |
| Connector | N-J (N-Male) | N-J (N-Male) | N-J (N-Male) | N-J (N-Male) |
| Power Rating | 100W | 50W | 100W | 50W |
| Radome Length / Net Weight | 260mm / 120g | 400mm / 145±5g | 550mm / 200g | 850mm / 262±5g |
| Polarization / Pattern | Vertical / Omni 360° | Vertical / Omni 360° | Vertical / Omni 360° | Vertical / Omni 360° |
| Impedance | 50Ω | 50Ω (near) | 50Ω | 50Ω |
| Operating Temp | -40°C~+85°C | -40°C~+80°C | -40°C~+85°C | -40°C~+85°C |
| Parameter | TX868-JK-11 | TX868-JKD-20 | TX868-JKS-IPX20 | TX868-JZ-5 | TX868-JZLW-15 | TX868-JZR-6 | TX868-XPL-100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Bendable whip | Whip | Bendable whip | Short straight whip | Cabinet whip | Flexible soft whip | Magnetic suction mount |
| Frequency Range | 848~888MHz | 848~888MHz | 830~894MHz | 848~888MHz | 832~920MHz | 848~888MHz | 848~888MHz (ctr 868) |
| Gain | 3.0 dBi | 3.5 dBi | 3.0 dBi | 2.0 dBi | 3.0 dBi | 3.0 dBi | 3.5 dBi |
| VSWR (spec table) | ≤1.5 | ≤2.0 | ≤1.5 | ≤3.0 | ≤1.5 | ≤2.0 | ≤2.0 |
| Connector | SMA-J | SMA-J | IPEX-1 (200mm RG1.37) | SMA-J | IPEX-1 (150mm cable) | SMA-J | SMA-J (1m RG174) |
| Size / Net Weight | 110mm / 8g (TPEE) | 200mm / 21g (TPEE) | 197mm / 18g (ABS) | 52mm / 6g (TPEE) | 165mm / 20g (Φ12.5) | 60mm±2mm / 8g | 290mm radome / 31g |
| Power Rating | 20W | 20W | 10W | 10W | 20W | 20W | 50W |
| Operating Temp | -40°C~+85°C | -30°C~+75°C | -30°C~+75°C | -30°C~+75°C | -40°C~+85°C | -40°C~+85°C | -30°C~+75°C |
Product Selection Guide
Selection Notice: Verify your local 868MHz ISM duty-cycle and output-power regulations before deployment. Match the connector first (N-J for base stations and DTU radios, SMA-J for terminals and routers, IPEX-1 for internal module PCB sockets), then select gain and radome length according to the required link distance — higher gain compresses the vertical beam and needs clear vertical space around the antenna.
| Model (SKU) | Type | Frequency Range | Connector | Gain | VSWR | Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TX868-BLG-26 | Fiberglass | 860~940MHz | N-J | 3.0dBi | ≤2.0 | 260mm | Compact outdoor base / point-to-multipoint |
| TX868-BLG-40 | Fiberglass | 826~898MHz | N-J | 5.5dBi | ≤1.5 | 400mm | Mid-range LoRa gateway & DTU links |
| TX868-BLG-55 | Fiberglass | 860~940MHz | N-J | 8dBi | ≤1.5 | 550mm | Long-range base station / repeater |
| TX868-BLG-85 | Fiberglass | 850~940MHz | N-J | 9dBi | ≤1.5 | 850mm | Maximum gain mast installation |
| TX868-JK-11 | Bendable whip | 848~888MHz | SMA-J | 3.0dBi | ≤1.5 | 110mm | Routers, APs, wireless terminals |
| TX868-JKD-20 | Bendable whip | 848~888MHz | SMA-J | 3.5dBi | ≤2.0 | 200mm | DTU radios & gateways needing longer whip |
| TX868-JKS-IPX20 | Bendable whip | 830~894MHz | IPEX-1 (200mm) | 3.0dBi | ≤1.5 | 197mm | Modules with internal IPEX/U.FL socket |
| TX868-JZ-5 | Short straight whip | 848~888MHz | SMA-J | 2.0dBi | ≤3.0 | 52mm | Space-constrained terminals |
| TX868-JZLW-15 | Cabinet whip | 832~920MHz | IPEX-1 (150mm) | 3.0dBi | ≤1.5 | 165mm | Device cabinets & control enclosures |
| TX868-JZR-6 | Soft flexible whip | 848~888MHz | SMA-J | 3.0dBi | ≤2.0 | 60mm | Mobile hotspots & embedded devices |
| TX868-XPL-100 | Magnetic suction | 848~888MHz | SMA-J (1m RG174) | 3.5dBi | ≤2.0 | 290mm | Vehicle / metal-surface temporary deploy |
Industrial Installation & Wiring
1. N-J (N-Male) Fiberglass Models (BLG-26/40/55/85): Hand-tighten the N connector to the female N port of your gateway, DTU or antenna feeder until snug, then torque lightly with a wrench on the hex body only — never twist by the radome. Outdoors, seal the joint with self-amalgamating tape covered by PVC tape to prevent water ingress.
2. SMA-J Whip Models (JK-11 / JKD-20 / JZ-5 / JZR-6 / XPL-100): Screw the SMA-J (male thread, male pin) connector finger-tight plus a light quarter turn onto the SMA-K (female thread, female socket) port. Avoid over-torquing which can crack the SMA island on small modules.
3. IPEX-1 Module Models (JKS-IPX20 / JZLW-15): Align the IPEX-1 (U.FL) connector over the PCB RF pad and press straight down until it clicks — do not slide or force it. Route the 150/200mm coax away from metal brackets and keep the whip vertical inside the enclosure.
4. Mounting Orientation & Clearance: All models are vertically polarized omnidirectional antennas — mount them perfectly vertical for the widest horizontal coverage. Keep at least 30~50cm clearance from large metal surfaces and other antennas, and install higher gain (8~9dBi) mast models with proper lightning surge protection grounded to the mast.
Practical Application Scenarios
1. LoRaWAN & Private 868MHz LoRa Gateways
Pair TX868-BLG-55/85 fiberglass antennas on rooftop masts with industrial LoRa gateways to cover kilometers of farmland, utility meters or smart-city sensors on the European 868MHz ISM band.
2. Utility Metering & Wireless M-Bus Telemetry
868MHz is the standard wireless M-Bus / utility metering band; the compact JK/JKD whips connect to data concentrators and relay nodes installed in meter cabinets and street poles.
3. Industrial Wireless Data-Transfer Radios & SCADA
DTU radios controlling pumps, gates and sensors in water, energy and municipal SCADA systems reach maximum reliability with the sealed, corrosion-proof fiberglass radome models installed on towers and tank roofs.
4. Fleet, Logistics & Temporary Field Deployment
The XPL-100 magnetic suction antenna lets engineers stick an 868MHz antenna to a vehicle roof or equipment cabinet with 1m of cabled reach — ideal for taxi/logistics fleets, construction sites and field testing without drilling mounts.
FAQ Section
Q1: Which TX868 model should I choose for a long-range LoRa link?
For maximum distance choose the TX868-BLG-85 (9dBi, 850mm) or BLG-55 (8dBi, 550mm) mounted high on a vertical mast. For moderate links the BLG-40 (5.5dBi) is a good balance of gain and wind load. Remember higher gain narrows the vertical beam, so the antenna must stay perfectly vertical and clear of obstacles.
Q2: What is the difference between N-J, SMA-J and IPEX-1 connectors?
N-J is a large rugged N-Male connector used on base-station radios and DTUs (adapter cables to SMA are available). SMA-J is the small male-thread/male-pin connector found on routers, modules and handsets. IPEX-1 (U.FL) is a snap-on micro connector that clicks directly onto a PCB RF pad inside the equipment enclosure.
Q3: Are these antennas legal to use in Europe?
They operate in the license-free 868MHz ISM band. Compliance still depends on your final product configuration (duty cycle, conducted power and antenna gain together must respect local EN 300 220 limits). Verify your system-level certification before commercial deployment.
Q4: Can fiberglass antennas really survive storms and coastal salt air?
Yes. The FRP radome is waterproof, UV-resistant, wind-proof and fully sealed, protecting the internal collinear elements from moisture and salt spray, which is why the BLG series is standard equipment for field base stations operating -40°C to +85°C year-round.
