Description
▌PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
>> 12 GRAMS. ZERO POWER DRAW. FULL SATELLITE LOCK. <<
Your GPS antenna shouldn’t weigh more than the signal it’s pulling down. It shouldn’t drain your battery while it waits for a fix. And it damn sure shouldn’t die the first time it sees rain.
The Hertzian Labs HZG1 is a passive panel-mount GPS antenna designed for multiband GNSS coverage in a package so small and light you’ll forget it’s there. At just 0.42 oz (12g) and 0.825″ (21mm) in diameter, this antenna was engineered from the ground up for applications where every gram counts: drones, UAVs, trackers, portable GNSS receivers, and field-deployed systems that can’t afford dead weight.
Passive design. Zero power draw. Unlike active GPS antennas with built-in LNAs that eat into your battery budget, the HZG1 is a purely passive element. It pulls GPS L1 (1575.42MHz) and Galileo E1 (1575.42MHz) signals from the sky and delivers them clean, with no added noise, no power consumption, and no heat generation. Pair it with any receiver that has its own front-end LNA, and you’re locked on.
IP68 waterproof. When installed on a standard SMA female bulkhead or panel mount, the HZG1 is sealed against water and dust to IP68 standards. Rain. Mud. Submersion. The ultra-durable molded polyethylene radome shrugs it off. Operating temperature range spans -40°F to +149°F (-40°C to +65°C), so it performs in desert heat and arctic cold without flinching.
Right Hand Circular Polarization (RHCP) matches the polarization of GPS satellite signals for optimal reception. The directional skyward radiation pattern focuses gain where the satellites actually are: above you. Not wasted on ground reflections or multipath interference.
Designed by Hertzian Labs. This antenna comes from a professional RF engineering house that builds antenna solutions for mobile, public safety, rail, IoT, and 5G applications. This isn’t a generic import stamped with a logo. It’s a purpose-built, chamber-tested GNSS antenna designed by people who do this for a living. Rabbit-Labs is currently the only authorized direct-to-consumer reseller of Hertzian Labs antennas – You won’t find these anywhere else.
Electrical Specifications:
- Frequency Band: 1570 – 1580MHz (GPS L1: 1575.42MHz / Galileo E1: 1575.42MHz)
- Gain: 1.75dBic (measured on 3×3″ metal housing)
- Radiation Pattern: Directional Skyward
- Return Loss: -8dB (2.3:1 VSWR)
- Polarization: Right Hand Circular (RHCP)
- Connector: SMA Male
Mechanical Specifications:
- Materials: Molded Polyethylene Radome
- Mounting: SMA Female bulkhead or panel mount
- Temperature Rating: -40°F to +149°F (operating and storage)
- Water Ingress: IP68 rated
- Weight: 0.42 oz (12g)
- Dimensions: 0.825″ (21mm) diameter x 0.825″ (21mm) height
Compatible with: Drones/UAVs, GPS tracking devices, PTP radios (Ubiquiti, Cambium, Aruba), the JCMK Wardriver, Marauder Mini, wardriving rigs, portable GNSS receivers, IoT deployments, custom embedded systems, and any application requiring a compact, lightweight, passive GPS antenna with an SMA interface.
Included in the box: Each HZG1 ships with a high-quality SMA to IPEX (U.FL) pigtail cable, so you can connect directly to boards like the JCMK Wardriver, Marauder Mini, and other devices with IPEX/U.FL GPS connectors right out of the box. No hunting for adapters. Plug in and lock on.
Small antenna. Big sky. Lock on.
▌README.TXT – INSTALLATION & USE
Step 1: Prepare the Mount Point Identify a suitable mounting location with a clear, unobstructed view of the sky. The HZG1’s directional skyward pattern requires line-of-sight to GPS/GNSS satellites for optimal performance. Mount the antenna on a horizontal surface (roof, drone frame, vehicle panel, enclosure top) pointing straight up.
Step 2: Install the Bulkhead Connector If your enclosure doesn’t already have one, install a standard SMA female bulkhead or panel-mount connector at the mount point. The HZG1 threads directly onto the SMA female connector from the outside, with the radome facing skyward and the SMA male pin mating through the panel.
Step 3: Connect the Antenna Thread the HZG1 onto the SMA female connector by hand. Tighten firmly but do not over-torque. Hand-tight plus a quarter turn with an SMA wrench is sufficient. Over-tightening can damage the connector or the panel.
Step 4: Route the Cable On the interior side of the bulkhead connector, attach your SMA coaxial cable and route it to your GPS/GNSS receiver. Keep cable runs as short as possible. Every foot of coaxial cable introduces signal loss, which matters more with a passive antenna (no LNA to compensate).
Step 5: Verify Lock Power on your GPS receiver and wait for satellite acquisition. With a clear sky view, a quality receiver should achieve a fix within 30-90 seconds of cold start. If you’re getting weak signal or extended time-to-fix, check cable connections, cable length, and ensure the antenna has an unobstructed view overhead.
PRO TIP: For drone applications, mount the antenna on the topside of the frame, away from motors, ESCs, and power distribution boards. Electromagnetic noise from these components can degrade GPS reception. A ground plane (even a small metal plate or copper tape) under the antenna can improve gain and multipath rejection.
▌DEBUG LOG – TROUBLESHOOTING
ISSUE: No satellite lock / receiver can’t get a GPS fix. FIX: Verify the antenna has a clear, unobstructed view of the sky. Buildings, trees, metal structures, and even the human body between the antenna and the sky will block GPS signals. Confirm all SMA connections are tight and properly mated. Check for damaged or kinked coaxial cable. GPS L1 signals are extremely weak (-130dBm at the surface), so any cable loss, connector loss, or obstruction matters. If you’re indoors, move outdoors. GPS does not work reliably indoors.
ISSUE: Weak signal / poor accuracy / long time-to-first-fix. FIX: Reduce coaxial cable length. Every meter of cable introduces loss, and with a passive antenna there is no onboard amplification to compensate. Use high-quality, low-loss coaxial cable (RG-316, LMR-100, or better). Ensure the antenna is mounted with the radome pointing straight up. Tilting the antenna reduces gain toward the satellites. Adding a ground plane (metallic surface beneath the antenna) can improve performance.
ISSUE: GPS works intermittently or drops fix during flight (drone use). FIX: EMI from motors, ESCs, and power distribution can interfere with GPS reception. Mount the antenna as far from noise sources as possible. Use shielded coaxial cable. Add a ferrite choke to the cable near the receiver. Vibration causing loose SMA connections can also cause intermittent drops. Verify connectors are secure and consider thread-locking compound on the SMA joint if vibration is severe.
ISSUE: Antenna doesn’t fit my connector. FIX: The HZG1 has an SMA male connector (center pin, external threads). It mates with a standard SMA female bulkhead or panel mount. If your device uses RP-SMA, U.FL, MMCX, or another connector type, you’ll need an appropriate adapter or pigtail cable. Note that every adapter introduces a small amount of insertion loss.
ISSUE: Water ingress despite IP68 rating. FIX: The IP68 rating applies when the antenna is properly installed on an SMA female bulkhead or panel mount connector. The seal is formed between the antenna body and the bulkhead connector. If the antenna is just dangling on a cable with the SMA joint exposed, the IP68 rating does not apply. Ensure proper panel-mount installation for waterproof operation.
▌SYS.WARN – WARNINGS, HAZARDS & DISCLAIMERS
Passive Antenna: No Built-in Amplification. The HZG1 is a passive antenna with no internal LNA (low-noise amplifier). It is designed for use with GPS/GNSS receivers that have their own front-end amplification. If your receiver requires an active antenna (with DC power on the coax for an LNA), this antenna will still function but without amplification, which may reduce range or sensitivity. Verify your receiver’s antenna requirements before purchasing.
Receive-Only Device. This is a receive-only antenna. It does not transmit, generate, or amplify any RF signal. It introduces no interference and requires no FCC license to operate.
Mounting and Installation. The user is solely responsible for proper installation. Incorrect mounting (tilted angle, obstructed sky view, excessive cable length, or poor connector mating) will degrade performance. Rabbit-Labs LLC is not responsible for poor GPS performance resulting from improper installation.
Drone/UAV Use. When used on drones or unmanned aerial vehicles, the operator is solely responsible for compliance with all applicable FAA regulations (14 CFR Part 107), local airspace restrictions, and any other applicable laws governing drone operation. This antenna is a component and does not by itself enable any controlled or restricted activity.
Not a Toy. This product contains small components (SMA connector) that may pose a choking hazard. Keep out of reach of small children.
Authorized Reseller Notice. Rabbit-Labs LLC is currently the only authorized direct-to-consumer reseller of Hertzian Labs antenna products. Purchasing from unauthorized sellers may result in counterfeit, used, or out-of-spec products not covered by any warranty.
Disclaimer. This product is manufactured by Hertzian Labs LLC and sold by Rabbit-Labs LLC as an authorized reseller. The antenna is sold “as-is” for integration into user systems. While designed and tested to the specifications listed in the Hertzian Labs datasheet, real-world performance may vary based on installation, cable quality, receiver sensitivity, environmental conditions, and sky visibility. Rabbit-Labs LLC makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding fitness for a particular purpose. Maximum liability shall not exceed the purchase price of the product.
© Rabbit-Labs LLC. All rights reserved. Hertzian Labs and HZG1 are trademarks or trade names of Hertzian Labs LLC. Sold by Rabbit-Labs LLC as an authorized direct-to-consumer reseller.
