Viviana Pebble Body Wave Antenna

The Viviana Pebble is a low-profile replacement antenna for body-worn wireless transmitters, built to reduce the dropouts that occur when talent’s body sits between the transmitter and the receive antennas. A standard whip antenna worn against the skin loses much of its RF energy to the body, which absorbs part of the signal and blocks more of it whenever the wearer turns away. The Pebble uses patented BodyWave technology to work with the body instead. Its rear surface acts as a ground plane that directs RF energy away from the wearer, and the antenna structure lets the signal travel around the body and out into the surrounding space. In real-world testing, usable range expands by up to twice as far (or more) compared to a standard whip antenna.

The Pebble connects to the transmitter through a separate 50-ohm cable and presents a stable 50-ohm match across its tuned band, so the transmitter delivers its intended output power. The current version is tuned for 590 to 630 MHz, and the transmitter must operate inside that range to benefit. Within that range, U.S. and Canadian wireless microphone operation is limited to 590 to 608 MHz and the 614 to 616 MHz guard band. Production sound mixers will see the largest gains in open outdoor locations, as well as large stage and studio environments. The Pebble also benefits when transmitters are hidden under wardrobe and whenever talent turns away from the receive antennas. These same conditions make it useful in theater and corporate production. Gains are smaller when the transmitter is not close to the body or when indoor reflections already fill in the signal.

The side marked BACK must stay in contact with the body, and the connecting cable must run along that back side, never across the front or the edges of the antenna. Viviana recommends placing the Pebble in one of the two lav cable pouches on a single-pouch Viviana Extreme Strap by placing the Pebble inside one of the two pouches designed for the lav mic cable. it also works well in a sock, pocket, or similar placement. As a passive antenna it behaves the same way on receive, so it suits body-worn IFB receivers, as well. Opposing slant receive antennas get the most from the Pebble in difficult conditions, although it performs well with vertical antennas. Connecting cables are sold separately to match the transmitter’s antenna port.

Features

Patented BodyWave technology guides RF energy around the wearer instead of into the body
Rear ground plane directs the signal away from the body to reduce absorption and body blocking
Launch testing showed usable range increasing from 51 m with a whip to 122 m with the Pebble
Stable 50-ohm match across the tuned band for full transmitter output
Tuned for 590 to 630 MHz
SMA antenna connection (connecting cables sold separately)
Low-profile body measuring 6 x 5 x 1.5 cm (2.4 x 2.0 x 0.6 in)
Rugged design for daily production use
Works on receive as well as transmit, including body-worn IFB receivers

Specifications

Model	Viviana Pebble
Model No.	VSSPEBBLE01
Antenna Type	Passive body-worn antenna with patented BodyWave technology
Tuned Frequency Range	590 to 630 MHz
US / Canadian Operation Range	590 to 608 MHz and 614 to 616 MHz
Impedance	50 ohms
Connector	SMA female
Ground Plane	Rear surface (side marked BACK must face the body)
Operation	Transmit and receive
Dimensions (H x W x D)	6 x 5 x 1.5 cm (2.4 x 2.0 x 0.6 in)
Cable	Not included; 25 cm, 50-ohm Pebble Cables sold separately in SMA to SMA, SSMA to SMA, and 1-pin LEMO to SMA versions
Recommended Mounting	Lav cable pouch on a single-pouch Viviana Straps Extreme