Paint-on Antennas for Mile-High Airships 77
Bravoc writes to tell us RTI International is reporting that a group of researchers are testing a "paint-on antenna" for high-altitude airships. From the article: "'The successful airship test flights demonstrate exciting possibilities for "paint-on" antenna technologies,' said David Myers, vice president of RTI's Engineering and Technology Unit. 'This new technology can be used to assist with hurricane disaster relief, provide enhanced security of ports and borders, perform science observation missions and improve military communications.'"
Cars have had these for ages (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Cars have had these for ages (Score:2, Informative)
It's not as new as some people think (Score:1)
My BMW 3 series (E46) has at least 2, on the rear windows
It wasn't such an uncommon practise to use the dope used on picture tubes or the metalic substance used to patch rear window defoggers on a sheet of plastic, plexiglass, cardboard, etc. for designing high frequency antennae. I've even seen examples where an antenna was etched on printed-circuit board.
This isn't so much Slow News Day fodder as mundane
Haven't we seen this before? (Score:5, Interesting)
I remember seeing that stuff waaay back when I was a kid, don't see it too much anymore.
Re:Haven't we seen this before? (Score:3, Insightful)
Comment removed (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Haven't we seen this before? (Score:2)
Been done (Score:2)
When it comes to "making an antenna out of x," where x is virtually any object that's even halfway conductive, someone somewhe
Human antennae (Score:2)
Re:Human antennae (Score:1)
I was thinking more of a transmit antenna when I made my comment, since most intelligent folks don't intentionally do that very often, although I suspect whenever you hold a cell-phone close to your head, there's probably a certain amount of coupling between the antenna
Re:Human antennae (Score:2)
It's just that you're not resonant.
Just by being there, the materials of your body are already reacting to the electromagnetic radiation in the space around you. There is indeed coupling between any radiator and your body. It's just that the voltages are so low as to be irrelevant most of the time.
By attaching a coil/cap to your body and tuning it, you can make the combination resonant to yo
What's the point (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:What's the point (Score:1)
Re:What's the point (Score:1)
New? (Score:2, Informative)
Radio Shack Etching Kits (Score:2)
Re:New? (Score:1)
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?produ
Came in a hand a couple of times back in school.
Why not WLAN? (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Why not WLAN? Or signal blocking. (Score:2)
Paint your own Faraday cage. (Score:1)
I know you'd need to cover every single piece of the room to stop signals leaking through the gaps, but in something like a cinema this
Re:Why not WLAN? Or signal blocking. (Score:2)
Rich
Re:Why not WLAN? Or signal blocking. (Score:2)
ZZZAP!! (Score:1)
Perhaps if it was top-coated with some non-conductive layer...
Re:Why not WLAN? (Score:1)
Wily E Coyote.... (Score:1)
Airplanes are well and good but ... (Score:3, Interesting)
I know, it sounds like cartoon physics ...
But I'm only half kidding ...
Re:Airplanes are well and good but ... (Score:1)
Re:Airplanes are well and good but ... (Score:2)
Dude, I've been in remote areas of Maine. You couldn't possibly paint enough trees to even make a dent.
Re:Airplanes are well and good but ... (Score:1)
He's only about a half hour drive from where they can get cable TV. I guess that makes it suburban, really. At least for Maine. ;-)
And there is, as mentioned, the problem of maintaining signal strength. Maybe power boosters that run off photosynthesis and ...
Oh, nevermind ...
I've got an idea... (Score:1)
Re:I've got an idea... (Score:1)
Re:I've got an idea... (Score:2)
Re:I've got an idea... (Score:1)
Been there, (Score:2)
TaleSpin's air pirates (Score:1)
Airship Aircraft Carrier (Score:2)
The sea-borne carrier is such a huge bomb- and torpedo-magnet that the support requirements of its "battle group" are remarkably expansive. The carrier is never out as "just the carrier".
Personally, I've
Re:Airship Aircraft Carrier (Score:2)
You may be talking of a more recent Navy project. I'm off to Google now, as you suggested.
Re:I've got an idea... (Score:1)
When can I get this? (Score:3, Interesting)
When can we get a few of these out here?
It would be great for tactical reasons. It would make it much easier to maintain radio como. It would also be cool if they could piggy back Radio and TV on it. There are still many blackout areas in this country.
Re:When can I get this? (Score:2)
Re:When can I get this? (Score:1)
Been Doing This For Years (Score:5, Interesting)
Originally, I tried creating a fractal antenna out of bent wire, but it was a nightmare, even using a jig to form the fractal portions. Eventually I found that glass and paint that conducts and even liquid solder on fiberboard worked better. The only problem was, you had to change the size of the antenna -- the non-conductive material affects the resonatant frequency. Eventually, I did get a compact 6 m. antenna to work, but it was never worth the trouble. The problem with the stuffs I used: there's a limit to how much power it can take, and it's far less than wire. And, like Tim Taylor, I had to go for "more power." Oops.
I never realized I was doing something unusual. Amateur radio operators will attempt to turn anything into an antenna. I've seen "dipoles" made of cars, doorknobs loaded, etc.
Re:Been Doing This For Years (Score:2)
Yagi (Score:4, Informative)
If you need to have a stealth antenna, you might be willing to put up with it. Otherwise, it's not that good.
Fractal Antennas (Score:2)
Re:Fractal Antennas (Score:3, Interesting)
I hilltop. For 2 and 4 meters, I use home-built 5 element quad antennas (based on designs in some issue of the ARRL mag -- again, sorry, no references).
I wanted a similar 6m antenna, based on fractals. The fractal, if I remember right, was similar to the 6-
That's one really tall airship! (Score:4, Funny)
(Perhaps you meant "mile altitude airships"?)
Re:That's one really tall airship! (Score:3, Informative)
Re:That's one really tall airship! (Score:1)
I'd also like to know about the navigational capabilities of these things since they're designed to fly at very high altitudes. I wonder how much energy is expended getting them aloft and getting them to remain stationary. Is there relative calm above
Winds aloft. (Score:1, Informative)
Also, while takeoffs are optional.... landings are always mandatory in any type of aircraft. Using a ballon, blimp or rigid LTA airship as a communications relay system can only be a very temporary solution at best, and a fairly expensive one at that.
Conducive Paint (Score:2, Informative)
Here's an article (referenced on Slashdot long ago) where it is used:
http://graffitiresearchlab.com/?page_id=13#video [graffitiresearchlab.com]
Similiar pathway to high-altitude communications? (Score:1)
Re:Similiar pathway to high-altitude communication (Score:1)
Airship? (Score:1)
What is this? Final Fantasy?
Just a thought...
Re:Airship? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Airship? (Score:1)
In most other installments of the series, airships were actual ships with propellers.
Application (Score:4, Insightful)
Who wants to bet which of these applications we'll see first?
Re:Application (Score:1)
I can't insinuate that I worked for an institution that manufactured this paint for the very same reason for military purposes 15 yrs ago.I also would be out of line to say it makes pretty good shielding for electric guitars and can make an old clothesline into hella radio antennae.So I won't say it and you won't hear it.No you can't have any of it.I certainly wouldn't provide it if I did.So there.Nothing to see here,move along please.
Re:Application (Score:3, Interesting)
In addition to being a national defense and a beatings-delivery system, the military is also a giant R&D playground for all sorts of useful future civilian technology.
It actually works out really well this way: Civilian contractors score government R&D contracts to research applications for a new technology. When the R&D is done, the military may get a new weapon system. But even if the military doesn't get a new weapon system, the civil
Re:Application (Score:2)
Wouldn't it be great if only 10% of the US military budget was spent on useful, non-military research. I bet there's be a
Re:Application (Score:1)
Yes, and isn't it strange how "current projects" are always applicable to the last 5 years worth of news items.
Mile high? (Score:5, Funny)
Hell, here in Boulder, a mile high would be an underground airship.
Re:Mile high? (Score:1)
Re:Mile high? (Score:2)
Re:Mile high? (Score:2)
Why anyone would build an airship to operate at less than 3960 miles is beyond me.
First thing I thought when I saw the Subject: (Score:1)
(read: Mile-High Club)
Mile-high WiFi (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Mile-high WiFi (Score:2)
They've had a couple of promising tests so far, but looks like they still have a way to go. Wouldn't be surprised if they're having a look at the paint on antennas too.
It's not a d*ck.. (Score:2)
Quack quack quack....
Anti-terrorism: the new shiny. (Score:3, Insightful)
Can we dispense with the it's-anti-terrorism-honest-give-me-money bullshit, please? It's getting rather tiresome.