Progressive Concepts acquires Norwalk Electronics

The acquisition brings a new life to the popular LPFM vertical antenna.

At the same time the news came in from Sage to announce the discontinuance of the popular ENDEC 3644 EAS encoder/decoder, Progressive Concepts has announced that they have acquired Norwalk Electronics, bringing new life to the beloved Norwalk Dominator NWE-34 vertical FM broadcast antenna.

The NWE-34 comes in three flavors:

• A 250 watt model with a SO-239 connector for $249.99.

• A 1 kW model with an N connector for $299.95.

• A 3kW model with a 7/16” DIN connector for $399.95.

The 250-watt model is available only in limited quantity.

For more information and to order one, visit Progressive Concepts.

For LPFM stations, the NWE-34 is an inexpensive antenna with 3 dB of gain (which allows you to keep the transmitter power lower) and can be tuned at the factory for your frequency. The NWE-34 is not recommended for LPFM stations on second-adjacent channel waivers. LPFMs should be aware that while the NWE-34 is a good performing antenna, the lack of horizontal polarity, such as what would be included in an antenna such as the Nicom BKG-77 and BKG-88 as well as Progressive’s own CIRPA circular polarized antenna may impact performance, especially to indoor radio receivers in homes. LPFM stations considering the NWE-34 should purchase the 1 kW model.

With the exception of a small number of reserved band (88.1~91.9) NCE FM stations that are protecting TV channel 6 stations, the use of vertical polarity only is not allowed on full-service FM stations, but may be used on non-directional FM translators.