Product Category
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
GPR systems from GSSI, Sensors & Software, IDS GeoRadar, and Guideline Geo (MALÅ), for utility locating, rebar and void detection, structural investigation, and archaeological survey. Available New, Refurbished, Absolute Certified, or Surplus.
What is Ground Penetrating Radar?
Ground penetrating radar transmits short pulses of electromagnetic energy into the ground or a structure and records the energy reflected back from subsurface interfaces — boundaries between materials with different dielectric properties, such as soil layers, buried pipes and cables, voids, rebar in concrete, or archaeological features. The two-way travel time of each reflection is converted to depth using an estimated or measured signal velocity for the material being surveyed, building up a cross-sectional "radargram" as the antenna is moved along a survey line.
Antenna Frequency & Depth Trade-off
- High frequency (900 MHz–2.6 GHz): Shallow penetration (typically under 1 m) but very high resolution — used for concrete scanning (rebar, conduit, post-tension cable location) and shallow utility mapping.
- Mid frequency (200–600 MHz): A few meters of penetration with good resolution — the general-purpose range for utility locating and geotechnical/archaeological survey in typical soils.
- Low frequency (16–100 MHz): Penetration from several meters to tens of meters (in resistive materials like ice, dry sand, or rock) with coarser resolution — used for bedrock depth, ice thickness, and deep stratigraphy.
Actual penetration depth depends heavily on ground conductivity: wet clay and saline soils attenuate radar energy quickly, while dry sand, rock, and ice allow much deeper penetration at the same frequency.
System Configurations
GPR is available as single-frequency towed/pushed cart antennas, multi-channel array systems (for wide-swath utility and structural mapping in a single pass), and handheld concrete scanners. Most modern systems integrate with GPS or a survey-wheel odometer for accurate horizontal positioning, and pair with dedicated post-processing software for gain adjustment, migration, and hyperbola-fitting velocity analysis.
GPR Brands We Supply
| Brand | Origin / Parent | Known For | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSSI | Independent (USA) | Utility locating and structural concrete-scanning GPR, broad antenna range | Utility locating, concrete scanning |
| Sensors & Software | Independent (Canada) | Modular GPR systems for geotechnical, environmental, and archaeological survey | Geotechnical, archaeology, environmental |
| IDS GeoRadar | Hexagon AB | Multi-channel array GPR for road, rail, and wide-area utility mapping | Infrastructure & utility mapping |
| Guideline Geo (MALÅ) | Independent (Sweden) | Rugged field GPR systems, wide antenna frequency range | Geology, archaeology, UXO screening |
Condition Tiers for GPR Equipment
Factory New
Antenna, control unit, and cart direct from the manufacturer, current firmware/software license, full OEM warranty.
Refurbished
Antenna housing, wheels/encoder, and cabling inspected and serviced; signal output tested against a known target before dispatch.
Absolute Certified
Antenna center frequency and depth response verified against reference targets on a calibrated test bed; calibration certificate issued at handover.
Surplus
Decommissioned survey-company antennas and control units, sold functional and as-is — often used to add antenna frequencies to an existing kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which antenna frequency should I choose for utility locating?
For general utility locating (pipes, cables, ducts at typical burial depths of 0.5–2 m) a mid-range antenna in the 200–600 MHz range is the usual choice, balancing resolution against depth. Shallow, high-precision work such as locating rebar or conduit in a concrete slab calls for a higher-frequency antenna (900 MHz and above); deep utility corridors in resistive soils may call for a lower-frequency antenna instead. Tell us your target depth and expected soil/ground conditions and we can recommend the right antenna.
Can a refurbished GPR antenna still hit its rated depth of penetration?
Yes, provided the antenna electronics and shielding are intact — depth of penetration is governed primarily by ground conductivity and antenna center frequency, not by cosmetic wear. Our Refurbished and Absolute Certified antennas are tested against known targets to confirm signal output and depth response before sale.
Do GPR systems from different brands use compatible software and data formats?
Generally no — each manufacturer uses its own proprietary data format and processing software, though most support common export formats (e.g. SEG-Y) for interchange with third-party interpretation packages. If you're adding a Surplus or Absolute Certified antenna to an existing system, we recommend matching brand and control-unit compatibility; ask us to confirm before you order.