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#1
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Unfolding beam antennae?
Taking my lead from the way in which spacecraft unload their antennae
and their solar cells, I wonder if there have been any amateur efforts into folding antennae to beat planning and zonal limitations? Unlike the spacecraft, the amateur beams would need a folding-back-up facility, which together with wind-up-and-tilt-over towers would render the structure invisble when not in use. Also inspired by the man-across-the-road who is a Punch-and-Judy man who has devised a booth that folds up neater than a deck-chair. |
#2
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Unfolding beam antennae?
"gareth" wrote in message
... Taking my lead from the way in which spacecraft unload their antennae and their solar cells, I wonder if there have been any amateur efforts into folding antennae to beat planning and zonal limitations? Unlike the spacecraft, the amateur beams would need a folding-back-up facility, which together with wind-up-and-tilt-over towers would render the structure invisble when not in use. Also inspired by the man-across-the-road who is a Punch-and-Judy man who has devised a booth that folds up neater than a deck-chair. Did he teach you how to attack postmen? |
#3
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Unfolding beam antennae?
On Mon, 27 Jan 2014 13:05:08 -0000, "gareth"
wrote: Taking my lead from the way in which spacecraft unload their antennae and their solar cells, I wonder if there have been any amateur efforts into folding antennae to beat planning and zonal limitations? Unlike the spacecraft, the amateur beams would need a folding-back-up facility, which together with wind-up-and-tilt-over towers would render the structure invisble when not in use. Also inspired by the man-across-the-road who is a Punch-and-Judy man who has devised a booth that folds up neater than a deck-chair. Actually, I've been working (very slowly) in a similar solution to the problem using inflatable antennas and towers. The original concept was a 20 ft length of plastic shipping tubing, a base plate with valve and gauge, and a wire over the length of the tubing. The unit is folded into a box and stored in the trunk of the car. When it's time to get on the air, a small motorized air pump fills the tube, and you're ready to go. When done, release the pressure, and fold the tube back into its box. Later paper designs involved 3 tubes, forming a tripod arrangement, for more stability and height. For an antenna, one can either run a wire up the tubing, build an inflatable Yagi, or balance a Yagi on top. To reduce weight, a ladder line taped to the outside of the tube should work. The maximum weight load is simple. Figure out the area of the top of the tube and multiply by the air pressure. Don't forget to include the weight of the tubing. If buckling becomes a problem due to top heaviness, nylon rope guys can be added. This is not a new concept or anything original. Such inflatable antennas were built by Bosch Aerospace in the past. The product was later sold to LTA Projects: https://www.youtube.com/user/ltaprojects?feature=watch The problem with their design is that it is designed for heavy duty paramilitary field use, while mine is intended for occasional light duty use. It need not be a monster. They also seem to favor a monopole, while I favor a tripod. My grand plan was to arrange an all inflatable Field Day for the sole purpose of getting my picture into QST. However, at my present rate of progress and level of interest, that's never going to happen. Perhaps someone else can build it. Don't forget the inflatable Field Day furnitu http://www.philippbeisheim.com/sidetable.html You can also build an inflatable satellite antenna: https://www.google.com/search?q=inflatable+satellite+antenna&tbm=isch -- Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558 |
#4
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Unfolding beam antennae?
On 1/27/2014 8:05 AM, gareth wrote:
Taking my lead from the way in which spacecraft unload their antennae and their solar cells, I wonder if there have been any amateur efforts into folding antennae to beat planning and zonal limitations? Unlike the spacecraft, the amateur beams would need a folding-back-up facility, which together with wind-up-and-tilt-over towers would render the structure invisble when not in use. Also inspired by the man-across-the-road who is a Punch-and-Judy man who has devised a booth that folds up neater than a deck-chair. It sounds like an interesting idea, and I'm sure it could be made workable from a technical perspective. However, if the unfolded version doesn't meet planning and zoning requirements, you won't be able to use it (at least in the United States). It doesn't matter if it meets the requirements folded or not. OTOH, for a quick portable antenna (i.e. Field Day, demonstrations, RVs, etc.), or where high winds can be a problem (i.e. hurricane prone areas), I can see a definite possibility for such a design. Probably others, also, if I think about it more. -- ================== Remove the "x" from my email address Jerry, AI0K ================== |
#5
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If the person is a real ham, they would not live anywhere there was a restriction or a covenant.
The closest thing I have seen to a fold-able antenna would be the Stepp IR antenna - which is a piece of junk in my opinion. It is a beam antenna on one band - 20 meters I think and is a portion of wavelengths of a dipole antenna everywhere else it operates. It works on a principal similar to the ribbon track that raises and lowers the side windows in automobiles. Eventually the stepper motors breaks or the ribbon track breaks and you end up with a pile of very expensive junk!
__________________
No Kings, no queens, no jacks, no long talking washer women... |
#6
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Unfolding beam antennae?
On 27/01/2014 17:00, FranK Turner-Smith G3VKI wrote:
"gareth" wrote in message Also inspired by the man-across-the-road who is a Punch-and-Judy man who has devised a booth that folds up neater than a deck-chair. Did he teach you how to attack postmen? It must be difficult running a Punch and Judy show there. The constable would have to keep running off stage and across the road to ... well, you know the rest. |
#7
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Unfolding beam antennae?
In article ,
Jerry Stuckle wrote: On 1/27/2014 8:05 AM, gareth wrote: Taking my lead from the way in which spacecraft unload their antennae and their solar cells, I wonder if there have been any amateur efforts into folding antennae to beat planning and zonal limitations? Unlike the spacecraft, the amateur beams would need a folding-back-up facility, which together with wind-up-and-tilt-over towers would render the structure invisble when not in use. Also inspired by the man-across-the-road who is a Punch-and-Judy man who has devised a booth that folds up neater than a deck-chair. It sounds like an interesting idea, and I'm sure it could be made workable from a technical perspective. However, if the unfolded version doesn't meet planning and zoning requirements, you won't be able to use it (at least in the United States). It doesn't matter if it meets the requirements folded or not. In the UK it is quite hard to offend the local authority with a demountable structure. Most such things are specifically excluded from planning requirements. So perhaps it is more worthwhile following up here. OTOH, for a quick portable antenna (i.e. Field Day, demonstrations, RVs, etc.), or where high winds can be a problem (i.e. hurricane prone areas), I can see a definite possibility for such a design. Probably others, also, if I think about it more. -- Percy Picacity |
#8
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Unfolding beam antennae?
"Kafkaësque" wrote in message
... On 27/01/2014 17:00, FranK Turner-Smith G3VKI wrote: "gareth" wrote in message Also inspired by the man-across-the-road who is a Punch-and-Judy man who has devised a booth that folds up neater than a deck-chair. Did he teach you how to attack postmen? It must be difficult running a Punch and Judy show there. The constable would have to keep running off stage and across the road to ... well, you know the rest. My complaint against you for harassment in that you repeatedly made false accusations that stated that I assaulted a postman is currently with WPC5829 at Bracknell. If others continue to make false allegations on the same line, then I will also pursue them for harassment. |
#9
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Unfolding beam antennae?
On 1/27/2014 1:51 PM, Percy Picacity wrote:
In article , Jerry Stuckle wrote: On 1/27/2014 8:05 AM, gareth wrote: Taking my lead from the way in which spacecraft unload their antennae and their solar cells, I wonder if there have been any amateur efforts into folding antennae to beat planning and zonal limitations? Unlike the spacecraft, the amateur beams would need a folding-back-up facility, which together with wind-up-and-tilt-over towers would render the structure invisble when not in use. Also inspired by the man-across-the-road who is a Punch-and-Judy man who has devised a booth that folds up neater than a deck-chair. It sounds like an interesting idea, and I'm sure it could be made workable from a technical perspective. However, if the unfolded version doesn't meet planning and zoning requirements, you won't be able to use it (at least in the United States). It doesn't matter if it meets the requirements folded or not. In the UK it is quite hard to offend the local authority with a demountable structure. Most such things are specifically excluded from planning requirements. So perhaps it is more worthwhile following up here. You're lucky. Around here, even "temporary" structures must meet planning and zoning requirements. OTOH, for a quick portable antenna (i.e. Field Day, demonstrations, RVs, etc.), or where high winds can be a problem (i.e. hurricane prone areas), I can see a definite possibility for such a design. Probably others, also, if I think about it more. -- ================== Remove the "x" from my email address Jerry, AI0K ================== |
#10
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Unfolding beam antennae?
"Jerry Stuckle" wrote in message
... On 1/27/2014 1:51 PM, Percy Picacity wrote: In article , Jerry Stuckle wrote: It sounds like an interesting idea, and I'm sure it could be made workable from a technical perspective. However, if the unfolded version doesn't meet planning and zoning requirements, you won't be able to use it (at least in the United States). It doesn't matter if it meets the requirements folded or not. In the UK it is quite hard to offend the local authority with a demountable structure. Most such things are specifically excluded from planning requirements. So perhaps it is more worthwhile following up here. You're lucky. Around here, even "temporary" structures must meet planning and zoning requirements. Is that in case "temporary" becomes "permanent"? -- ;-) .. 73 de Frank Turner-Smith G3VKI - mine's a pint. .. http://turner-smith.co.uk |
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