Here are some random things I’ve run across recently that I found interesting. I hope you do, too…..Dan
As I’ve written previously, I haven’t had a whole lot of success with FT8. I’m going to have to try some of the advice in this presentation the next time I try it.
What is a Virtual Antenna? I’m still trying to figure out what this is all about and if it has any application in amateur radio. In fact, I’m still scratching my head after reading this article in IEEE Spectrum. Virtual antennas are, apparently, components developed by a Spanish company named Fractus Antennas. Here’s what Fractus has to say about their product:
Virtual Antenna is the commercial name for the “Antenna-less” technology based on a new generation of tiny components named antenna boosters. Antenna boosters are miniature, surface-mount (SMT), off-the-shelf, components that replace conventional customized PIFA/Printed antennas for mobile/wireless connectivity applications. Being much smaller than the operating wavelength (typically below 1/30 or even 1/50 of the wavelength and beyond), the antenna boosters provide full functional multiband wireless connectivity to smartphones and IoT devices and seamlessly fit about any device form factor and design. This enables a single antenna booster component being reused across multiple mobile and wireless designs, reducing time to market, product development investments and finally, cost. Moreover, because the antenna boosters take the form of a chip antenna, they can be assembled in production on the main printed circuit board (PCB) of the mobile/wireless device using conventional pick-and-place machinery, resulting in a lower production cost and improved quality and reliability.
Of course, you never get something for nothing. To use a “virtual antenna,” you have to design a matching network for your wireless device.
SDR on the Cheap. On April 28, the Dallas Amateur Radio Club (DARC) will be holding this event aimed at teaching members about software-defined radio (SDR). It looks like a pretty cool presentation. I’m guessing, but I’d bet that if your club wanted to do something similar, the DARC would share their lecture notes with you.
Re: Virtual Antennas — just because it accepts power, doesn’t make it an efficient radiator. Jus’ sayin’…
I had the opportunity to make a few FT8 contacts this weekend as a part of our club’s Nebraska QSO Party station. I found the experience about as rewarding as watching paint dry. While the phone and psk contacts I made were hardly sparkling conversation, at least I was involved in them.
I really like the detailed explanation of the FT8 protocol. It answered a lot of questions I had.