Abstract: An antenna positioning system includes an outdoor unit with a rotating antenna driven by a motor, and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via a communications link, such as a cable or a wireless link, that enables the indoor unit to control the outdoor unit. On startup, the processor of the indoor unit directs the antenna to search for available signals. The resulting signal information is stored and displayed on a user interface on the indoor unit. The user can then select a desired signal and the processor of the indoor unit will automatically rotate the antenna to the appropriate angular position. Both the search procedure and repositioning of the antenna rely on accurate calibration of the antenna's angular velocity to determine the antenna's angular position, rather than relying on a position sensor.

Abstract: An omni-directional antenna is made of a series of straight conductor segments of varying lengths that form two symmetrical ear-shaped lobes.

Abstract: An antenna mount for adjusting the azimuth, elevation, and/or skew alignments of an antenna. The mount has a basic gearbox drive including a worm gear and worm wheel with interchangeable arcuate members that can be inserted in the basic drive design to customize it for azimuth, elevation, and/or skew adjustments. The arcuate member for azimuth adjustments permits the gearbox drive to rotate the attached antenna more than 360 degrees and provides two hard stop positions about 400 degrees from each other for reference points for the search routine and to prevent undue twisting of any attached, exterior wiring. Replacing the azimuth arcuate member with a modified or second arcuate member reduces the rotational movement (e.g., to 20 degrees) making the gearbox drive more suitable for elevation adjustments. Similarly, a third gearbox drive can be provided with a third arcuate member with more of a middle range of movement (e.g., 90-180 degrees) suitable for skew adjustments of the antenna.

Abstract: An enclosure system for antennas including satellite dish antennas and single frequency, narrowband and broadband ones. The system includes at least upper and lower housing portions mounted to each other for rotational movement about a first axis inclined to the vertical. The portions have respective, peripheral sections extending about the first axis and substantially perpendicular to the inclined, first axis. The satellite antenna dish is mounted to the upper housing portion to extend substantially about a second axis substantially intersecting the first axis at an inclined angle. The upper housing portion can be rotated about the inclined, first axis relative to the lower housing portion wherein the second axis of the dish essentially forms or defines a cone about the first axis to position the plane of the dish rim portion in any of a plurality of orientations essentially between a substantially horizontal one and a substantially vertical one.

Abstract: An antenna includes a main reflector with a focal circle about an axis. A waveguide horn extends from the main reflector along this axis. A sub-reflector is mounted beyond the distal end of the waveguide horn with an annular gap remaining between the sub-reflector and the distal end of the waveguide horn. The annular gap forms a radial transmission line between a first wall on the sub-reflector and a second wall having outer annular corrugated surfaces on the distal end of the waveguide horn. The first wall of the transmission line is a body of revolution of elliptical shape on the sub-reflector. This ellipse is tilted at an angle with respect to the axis, and has a first focal point on the axis. The other focal point is preferably on or near the focal circle. The phase center of the waveguide horn does not coincide with either foci.

Abstract: An antenna has a waveguide horn extending from a main reflector. A dielectric tube extends from the distal end of the waveguide horn to support a sub-reflector in the focal region of the main reflector. An insert is placed into the dielectric tube to seat against the distal end of the dielectric tube. A fastener secures the insert to the sub-reflector, thereby securing the sub-reflector to the distal end of the dielectric tube. The surface of the insert serves as a continuation of the sub-reflector. The dielectric tube can be equipped with an inwardly-extending collar about its distal end to engage the insert.

Abstract: An antenna mount for adjusting the azimuth, elevation, and/or skew alignments of an antenna. The mount has a basic gearbox drive including a worm gear and worm wheel with interchangeable arcuate members that can be inserted in the basic drive design to customize it for azimuth, elevation, and/or skew adjustments. The arcuate member for azimuth adjustments permits the gearbox drive to rotate the attached antenna more than 360 degrees and provides two hard stop positions about 400 degrees from each other for reference points for the search routine and to prevent undue twisting of any attached, exterior wiring. Replacing the azimuth arcuate member with a modified or second arcuate member reduces the rotational movement (e.g., to 20 degrees) making the gearbox drive more suitable for elevation adjustments. Similarly, a third gearbox drive can be provided with a third arcuate member with more of a middle range of movement (e.g., 90-180 degrees) suitable for skew adjustments of the antenna.

Abstract: A skid for transporting, deploying and storing a portable antenna has an antenna mounting frame providing a base for the antenna. A skid frame with an enclosure contains the antenna mounting frame and houses the antenna in the stowed position The enclosure also has a top opening to allow the antenna to be deployed. A lid covers the opening when the antenna is in the stowed position, and can be removed from the opening to allow the antenna to be deployed. The skid frame supports the antenna mounting frame and antenna, and also enables the entire skid assembly to lifted and transported. Shock isolation members between the skid frame and antenna mounting frame isolate the antenna from external shocks. The skid can also be equipped with a cable reel for holding cables for external connections to the antenna that is mounted inside a hinged gate attached to the skid frame.

Abstract: An antenna mounting system for use with recreational vehicles and boats as well as stationary objects. The system includes a pedestal securable to the recreational vehicle and an antenna head containing an antenna element and securable to the pedestal. The pedestal has an upstanding male portion slidably receivable in a mating, female portion of the antenna head. In assembling the system, the male and female portions are first axially aligned and then moved axially toward each other to a predetermined, operating position where they are snapped together in a locking engagement. Anti-rotation structure including one or more pairs of mating, channels and protuberance is also provided to prevent the pedestal and antenna head from being rotated relative to each other about their aligned axes (and the coaxial cable running through them from being twisted) as they are moved together to the predetermined and locked, operating position.

Abstract: A vibration and shock isolation mount for a mobile satellite antenna system securable to a transport vehicle such as a truck or boat. The isolation mount includes three isolators attachable between the mobile satellite antenna system and the transport vehicle. The three isolators are spaced substantially evenly about the central axis of the antenna system. Each isolator has a central spring element extending along a first axis between two block members wherein the spring element permits the two block members to move in virtually all direction relative to each other including toward and away from each other along the first axis of the spring element. Each isolator further includes two attaching members for respectively securing the two block members to the mobile satellite antenna system and the transport vehicle.

Abstract: An enclosure system for antennas including satellite dish antennas and single frequency, narrowband and broadband ones. The system includes at least upper and lower housing portions mounted to each other for rotational movement about a first axis inclined to the vertical. The portions have respective, peripheral sections extending about the first axis and substantially perpendicular to the inclined, first axis. The satellite antenna dish is mounted to the upper housing portion to extend substantially about a second axis substantially intersecting the first axis at an inclined angle. The upper housing portion can be rotated about the inclined, first axis relative to the lower housing portion wherein the second axis of the dish essentially forms or defines a cone about the first axis to position the plane of the dish rim portion in any of a plurality of orientations essentially between a substantially horizontal one and a substantially vertical one.

Abstract: A mount for mobile electronic devices such as a satellite dish antenna system. The mount includes a tripod and an elongated post member supported on it by a universal joint or pivot mechanism. The post member extends along a longitudinal axis and the pivot mechanism allows the post member to be moved about two, substantially perpendicular pivotal axes relative to the tripod to align the longitudinal axis of the post member with the vertical. Once the axis of the post member is aligned vertically, the alignment system of the attachable satellite dish will then have a proper reference from which to aim or direct the dish (e.g., azimuth and elevation) for best reception and transmission. The mount includes an arrangement of cables extending between the tripod legs and adjustable straps extending between each tripod leg and the post member to provide a very strong and stable support for the satellite dish antenna system that is attachable to the upper end of the vertically aligned post member.

Abstract: A wall plate assembly having a television channel select switch, a channel display, and a signal strength display. A circuit board on the rear of the wall plate includes a television antenna connector, a television output connector, and control electronics. The control electronics displays the selected channel in the channel display, determines the signal strength for the selected channel in any signal on the television antenna connector and displays it in the signal strength display. The control electronics delivers the signal for the selected channel to the television output connector.

Abstract: A removable tool for adjusting the elevation of a satellite antenna having a shaft, a knob engaging the threads of the shaft at one end, a pivot member slideably disposed over the shaft threads; an upper pin for selectively engaging a hole at the other end of the shaft and with upper holes on the antenna mount; and lower pin for selectively engaging a pivot hole in the pivot member and lower holes on the mount. When the knob is turned the shaft adjusts the elevation in the mount by pivoting between the two bracket pairs.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable satellite dish antenna system having base and lid portions which can be configured relative to each other in carrying and deployed positions. The base and lid portions are substantially the same size and shape and have respective interior and exterior sides with the satellite dish antenna of the system pivotally mounted to the interior side of the lid portion. In the carrying position, the satellite dish antenna is retracted to align with the interior side of the lid portion and the lid and base portions are secured together with the interior sides thereof facing and abutting each other. In the deployed or operating position, the lid portion is inverted and placed atop the base portion with the exterior side of the lid portion and the interior side of the base portion facing and abutting one another on mating bearing surfaces extending about a central, vertical axis.

Abstract: A fine azimuth adjustment tool and method for a satellite antenna system having a clamp with opposing jaws for clamping around the mast pipe, a lever connected to the clamp for opening and closing the opposing jaws; a cam with a protrusion engaging a formed slot in the mast clamp when said opposing jaws are closed, the protrusion rotating the mast clamp when the cam is turned, the protrusion in the slot holding the mast clamp to the mast pipe at a desired fine tuned azimuth position while the mast clamp is tightened and secured to the mast pipe.