Panorama antennas

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Panorama Antennas Ltd
Type	Private
Founded	London, UK (1947, as J.F.J. Products)
Headquarters	Frogmore, Wandsworth, London, United Kingdom
Key people	Andrew Jesman, Managing Director Christopher Jesman, Managing Director
Industry	Antennas Radio Telecommunications
Products	Glass Mount Antennas, TETRA Antennas, 3G Data Card Antennas, Wireless LAN Antennas
Website	Panorama-Antennas.com

Panorama Antennas Ltd is a British private limited company with a focus on designing and manufacturing antennas and closely related diplexer products. Established in Putney, London in 1947. As of May 2008, the company operates globaly with sales offices in seven countries ^[1] and an online store^[2] where 3G & WLAN software products are sold.

For a variety of reasons, Panorama has engendered a unique reputation in the telecommunications & radio industry.

[edit] History

Panorama's future was set by the 1960's when the company pioneered the construction of mobile and portable antennas using 'insert-injection' plastic moulding technology.

Today, brothers Andrew and Christopher Jesman own and run Panorama Antennas as joint managing directors. Their father, Leon Jesman and his partners, founded the company as J.F.J. Products Ltd in 1947^[3]. The organisation began operating in a highly competitive, customer focussed market. This experience, combined with engineering expertise and enthusiasm for new products and processes, is a legacy set to continue many years ahead.

[edit] 1947 to 1970 : The Early Years

[edit] 1947 : Dolls' eyes and consumer goods

In 1947, J.F.J. Products was one of the many small, light engineering enterprises set up after the war by ex-servicemen.

The philosophy of J.F.J. Products was to identify a customer need, and to supply it more quickly and with better products than anyone else. This approach involved a lot of trial and error in a volatile market place.

Early products included mop heads stitched from rags, cake stands assembled from Perspex sheets, and eyes for 'sleeping' dolls that were machined out of plastic blocks. (Interest in dolls' eyes started by chance on the London Underground when Leon Jesman met a contact in the toy trade whom he had last seen in a labour camp in Siberia.)

[edit] 1949 : Plastic Moulding Technology

Early experience in the development of plastic moulding technology is the key to the company's subsequent success story.

In 1949 Mr. Jesman designed and built his own 'plastic injection' moulding machine from surplus aeroplane parts that were widely available in the post-war period. He pioneered the process of 'insert injection' moulding to improve the quality and reduce the cost of the dolls' eyes.

Eventually, the business became established as a plastic moulding sub-contractor to the electronics industry. Work included moulding cable assemblies for electrical instruments, and insulating handles of 'safety' hand tools.

[edit] 1952 : Mass-produced TV components

Always on the look out for new products for the home-made moulding equipment, the company discovered that coaxial terminal sockets for television sets were in short supply. Immediately, the engineers rose to the challenge and designed and produced new sockets and connectors. As the UK prepared to watch the Queen’s Coronation on television in 1953, demand for TV sets surged.

To supply the growing need for TV components, J.F.J Products purchased second hand moulding machinery and customised it for mass production. The new coaxial connectors for televisions were the first to be 'encapsulated in plastic' which made them superior and cheaper.

As the company became a specialist in 'the technical application of plastics to the radio and electronic industries', it began trading as the Panorama Radio Company. When ITV was launched, the company designed a crossover unit to combine Band I (BBC, 47MHz) and Band III (ITV 200MHz) aerial signals. This led to a range of 'set top' and dual band telescopic aerials for BBC1 and ITV

[edit] 1960's : Transistor radio aerials

In the early 1960's, transistor radios became the latest consumer trend and Panorama redeveloped its aerials for TV into designs for 'state of the art' portable electronic equipment.

When Storno began supplying the first transistor radio systems to the Police Service, the Panorama Radio Company was commissioned to design new communication antennas for Metropolitan Police cars. Panorama responded with a revolutionary range of coaxially-fed whips and bases with moulded components that were the most robust, reliable and waterproof communications aerials available.

Panorama also designed helical aerials for Storno's new fully transportable 'compact' hand portables. Orders for these helical aerials followed from the Home Office for use by the Emergency Services and from the Ministry of Defence for use with the latest military radio equipment.

[edit] 1970's : Communication antennas

In the 1970's, when the UK Government issued licences to utility companies for 2-way radio communications, Panorama achieved massive market share in the rapidly growing market for communication aerials.

The old partnership was reorganised in 1974 and the current company, Panorama Antennas Limited, was formed as a wholly family-owned business, as it remains to this day. The new organisation focussed its activities to become the first specialised communications antenna manufacturer in the UK.

By 1978, Panorama's 'Professional' range of mobile antennas was well established in the UK.

The widespread success of Panorama's 'Utility' and 'Professional' product ranges ensured that 'encapsulated plastic' construction was recognised as the industry standard method of antenna design.

[edit] 1980's : GSM & The Glass Mount

[edit] 1984 : The first UK cellular antennas

In 1984 Panorama was the first organisation to design and produce mobile antennas ready for the launch of the UK 900MHz cellular network on 1 January 1985.

This head start in cellular antenna design enabled the company to make early contributions in the new mobile telecommunications industry.

Panorama was a founding member of the Federation of Communications Services Ltd^[4]. 1985 The first GSM 'glassmounts' Panorama was the first organisation to sell glassmount antennas in the UK and Europe. The technology was tried and tested in the US for 800MHz networks, and Panorama was the first manufacturer to adapt the design for GSM900MHz applications.

World wide glass mount antenna design leapt ahead when, on 9th April 1990, Andrew and Christopher Jesman filed a patent application for the first ever solid state coupling circuit. Panorama's new glass mount was the first antenna to use a printed circuit board(PCB) in the coupling box.

This patented design revolutionised glass mount antenna technology and set new standards for reliability and quality. Today most manufacturers of cellular glass mount antennas have followed Panorama's lead in solid state coupling technology.

[edit] 1989 : The first ISO9002 antenna manufacturer in Europe

Panorama's commitment to quality consistency led to the purchase of a network analyser that was the first of its kind in the UK. (Hewlett Packard kindly presented the company with a free bottle of champagne to celebrate the occasion!)

In 1989 Panorama became the first European company to achieve ISO 9002 accreditation for antenna manufacture.

[edit] 1992 : A new era

In January 1992 Panorama closed the original factory in Wadham Road, Putney, and moved to a purpose built production and administrative premises in Wandsworth, South West London. (This move required a relocation of only 2 miles so there was no problem retaining the skilled and experienced workforce.)

The new premises are much larger and are better suited for the provision of excellent workplace conditions. One of the main attractions for visitors is the anechoic chamber (which is another 'first of its kind' for antenna designers in Europe).

Panorama is an active member of The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI No: 307132); and The Wandsworth Challenge Partnership (for inner-city regeneration).

[edit] 1997 Continual innovation

During the 1990s, Panorama Antennas entered new markets as the cellular telecommunications industry grew world-wide. Increased sales, notably in Europe, South Africa, the Middle East and Australasia, resulted in considerable investment in production capacity and product development facilities.

In 1997 new products included: the first low profile (no whip) 900MHz glass mount antenna; and the first dual band (900MHz and 1800MHz) glass mount antenna for the latest technology dual band cellular telephones. 2005 Preparing for the next 50 years In the early 1980’s, investments in new technology included the installation of a networked computer system for materials and resources planning. Since then, the computer system has been continually upgraded to integrate company functions and management systems.

Today, we are focussing on improving our factory resources and strengthening our competitive advantages in areas of manufacturing and research and development thus ensuring our stronghold in the antenna industry.

Today, Panorama is a major producer of antennas for telecommunications and electronics companies around the world.

[edit] Current products

[edit] Frequencies

Panorama manufactures antennas to suit all frequencies from 150MHz to 5GHz. Various different producst fall within each catagory:

• 3G
• DAB Digital Audio Broardcast
• GPRS
• GPS
• Inbuilding
• ISM Band
• M2M Machine to Machine
• GSM Mobile Phone
• P25 Project 25
• Private Mobile Radio
• TETRA UHF
• TETRA 800MHz
• Wireless LAN 2.4GHz

[edit] Products

Panorama's antennas work across various different technologies with different frequencies requiring different applications.

[edit] 3G

The 3G range of antennas from Panorama are designed to work with mobile data cards. The TCLIP brand was launched 2004, targeted at the growing mobile data card users. The simple laptop clip was a popular antenna because of its multiple frequency capabilities and portable design.

The popularity of the antennas has led to a modified design set for launch in the Summer of 2008.

[edit] Inbuilding

The Inbuilding range of antennas are the latest catagory to be added to the Panorama portfolio. The growing use of mobile phone users has let to a high requirement for signal boosters in buildings such as hotels, airports and exhibition centres.

[edit] Machine to Machine : M2M

The M2M Antenna range include the thinnest antenna in the Panorama range. The PCB Antennas are designed for any non metalic enclosure that requires a GSM, 3G or WLAN connection. The complete range include low profiles, glass mounts, GPS combinations and panel mount antennas

[edit] TETRA UHF

Panorama Antennas is member of the TETRA Assosiation. The growth of sucurity systmes worldwide has led to a high requirement for different antennas around the world. Panorama's TETRA & GPS Combination antenna is a popular choice amongst Police and emergency services. The dual fuctionality requires only only hole in the roof of the car and is a quicker and easier installation.

[edit] Environment

[edit] Computer Equipment

Panorama Antennas supports Computer Aid International by donating disused computers and equipment to developing countries.

Computer Aid International has shipped more than 65,000 PC's to 101 different countries donated by companies like Panorama. Computer Aid International

Charity No: 1069256

[edit] Energy Consumption

Panorama Antennas uses 100% renewable elecricity which does not pollute and does not contribute to climate change.

Panorama Antennas has cut its carbondioxide emissions by approximately 110,000kg

[edit] Recycling

Panorama Antennas recycles paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, cans and glass, as well as materials in its production.

In 2005 Panorama Antennas recycled 14440kg of paper saving 245 trees.

[edit] RoHS Compliance

Panorama Antennas is 100% RoHS compliant in all its products it produced.

Since the introduction of the RoHS directive and simelar initiatives worldwide, Panorama has taken great steps to make sure that it's products comply to these regulations.

Investment in this advanced technology enebles Panorma with the ability to test all materials supplied to us, as soon as they arrive at the factory. This ensures that any rogue material is not passed on to the customer.

[edit] Head Office

In 1992 Panorama relocated its head office to Wandsworth, London. The current factory is a much larger facility that is more suited to the current requirements of the company.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Panorama Antennas Ltd