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Is this still able to be directed/pointed in the same way as a satellite dish? Very cool if so, the article says that it can be used in lieu of satellite dishes

Is this still able to be directed/pointed in the same way as a satellite dish? Very cool if so, the article says that it can be used in lieu of satellite dishes, but I'm wondering if there's any downsides due to the geometry of the solution.

_whiteCaps_ 3y ago
Yes, QFH antennas are directional. But the other benefit is they're circularly polarized which is a benefit in satellite communication because you don't know how the satellite is oriented in space. The innovation here is the antenna that's normally static and somewhat fragile is now collapsible and part of the woven structure. Really neat idea. https://www.instructables.com/NOAA-Satellite-Signals-with-a-PVC-QFH-Antenna-and-/ https://www.instructables.com/NOAA-Satellite-Signals-with-a-...
xhkkffbf 3y ago
In many cases, the geometry of antennae matter. I would worry that a flexible antenna like this might be bent or stretched enough to degrade performance. Am I right?
- MR4D 3y ago
  Put it in a plastic cylinder to protect it, with an easily removable lid and you'll fix that issue for many situations. Unless there is something weird about plastic that impacts the signal, it might even be able to stay in the container when running. Might be as simple as carrying around a device about the size of a Pringles can. Will be interesting space to watch, ass this could truly disrupt many things. Attached to a drone or ballon, and the possibilities multiply versus a static location. Side note: I wonder if future wifi hubs will be cylindrical. Much better than the spiders today.
- NikkiA 3y ago
  It's just strips of thin metal and thin 'plastic', insanely cheap to produce and replace if they get damaged. Dishes are also fairly easy to damage, especially if they're torn down and moved. That said, what's shown isn't 100% of the antennae, you need a ground plane disc that the helix is attached to and acts as a reflector.
  - slow_typist 3y ago
    Ground planes are not really necessary for helix antennae IMHO.
- PaulHoule 3y ago
  Yes.
- willy_k 3y ago
  I think the “bi-stable” part of this somewhat addresses this, it’s designed to snap into either a tall or flat configuration, so it should at least be harder to distort than a freely moving version would be.

_whiteCaps_ 3y ago

Yes, QFH antennas are directional. But the other benefit is they're circularly polarized which is a benefit in satellite communication because you don't know how the satellite is oriented in space. The innovation here is the antenna that's normally static and somewhat fragile is now collapsible and part of the woven structure. Really neat idea. https://www.instructables.com/NOAA-Satellite-Signals-with-a-PVC-QFH-Antenna-and-/ https://www.instructables.com/NOAA-Satellite-Signals-with-a-...

xhkkffbf 3y ago

In many cases, the geometry of antennae matter. I would worry that a flexible antenna like this might be bent or stretched enough to degrade performance. Am I right?

MR4D 3y ago
Put it in a plastic cylinder to protect it, with an easily removable lid and you'll fix that issue for many situations. Unless there is something weird about plastic that impacts the signal, it might even be able to stay in the container when running. Might be as simple as carrying around a device about the size of a Pringles can. Will be interesting space to watch, ass this could truly disrupt many things. Attached to a drone or ballon, and the possibilities multiply versus a static location. Side note: I wonder if future wifi hubs will be cylindrical. Much better than the spiders today.
NikkiA 3y ago
It's just strips of thin metal and thin 'plastic', insanely cheap to produce and replace if they get damaged. Dishes are also fairly easy to damage, especially if they're torn down and moved. That said, what's shown isn't 100% of the antennae, you need a ground plane disc that the helix is attached to and acts as a reflector.
- slow_typist 3y ago
  Ground planes are not really necessary for helix antennae IMHO.
PaulHoule 3y ago
Yes.
willy_k 3y ago
I think the “bi-stable” part of this somewhat addresses this, it’s designed to snap into either a tall or flat configuration, so it should at least be harder to distort than a freely moving version would be.