Abstract: A radome for an antenna is provided as a composite of an isotropic outer layer and a structural layer of foamed polymer material. The composite is dimensioned to enclose an open end of the antenna. The radome may be retained upon the antenna by a retaining element and fasteners. The outer layer may be a polymer material with a water resistant characteristic. The structural layer may project inward and/or outward with respect to a plane of the seating surface of the radome.

Abstract: A radome for an antenna is provided as a composite of an isotropic outer layer and a structural layer of foamed polymer material. The composite is dimensioned to enclose an open end of the antenna. The radome may be retained upon the antenna by a retaining element and fasteners. The outer layer may be a polymer material with a water resistant characteristic. The structural layer may project inward and/or outward with respect to a plane of the seating surface of the radome.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a modular feed assembly for an antenna has (i) a hub adapter for mounting the feed assembly onto the antenna hub and (ii) a distinct waveguide transition configured to be selectively mated to the hub adapter. By providing a modular design, the hub adapter can be selectively used with different waveguide transitions having different frequency characteristics to form feed assemblies for different antennas having different operating frequency ranges. The hub adapter and each waveguide transition have timing features that limit the rotation orientation between the two components to, for example, horizontal and vertical polarizations that are 90 degrees apart. The hub adapter has a resilient compression element that forms an annular seal between the hub adapter and a mated waveguide transition to inhibit RF leakage and keep the two components in place. The hub adapter has openings that allow the compression element to be formed in place.

Abstract: A radome for an antenna is provided as a composite of an isotropic outer layer and a structural layer of foamed polymer material. The composite is dimensioned to enclose an open end of the antenna. The radome may be retained upon the antenna by a retaining element and fasteners. The outer layer may be a polymer material with a water resistant characteristic.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a modular feed assembly for an antenna has (i) a hub adapter for mounting the feed assembly onto the antenna hub and (ii) a distinct waveguide transition configured to be selectively mated to the hub adapter. By providing a modular design, the hub adapter can be selectively used with different waveguide transitions having different frequency characteristics to form feed assemblies for different antennas having different operating frequency ranges. The hub adapter and each waveguide transition have timing features that limit the rotation orientation between the two components to, for example, horizontal and vertical polarizations that are 90 degrees apart. The hub adapter has a resilient compression element that forms an annular seal between the hub adapter and a mated waveguide transition to inhibit RF leakage and keep the two components in place. The hub adapter has openings that allow the compression element to be formed in place.

Abstract: An interconnection retaining a periphery of a radome upon a periphery of a reflector dish has a plurality of curved channel portions, each of the channel portions provided with an open periphery slot and an open retention slot. The periphery slot is dimensioned to receive the periphery of the radome and the periphery of the reflector dish. The channel portions are arranged end-to-end adjacent to one another, encircling the periphery of the radome and the periphery of the reflector dish seated within the periphery slot. A gap may be provided between one or more of the channel portions are arranged end-to-end adjacent to one another. A link member is seated within the retention slot at an end of each adjacent channel portion. The retention slot at the end of each of the adjacent channel portions is crimped upon the link member. The link member may be, for example, a portion of threaded rod or a molded portion of polymer material.

Abstract: A dielectric cone radiator sub-reflector assembly for a reflector antenna with a waveguide supported sub-reflector is provided as a unitary dielectric block with a sub-reflector at a distal end. A waveguide transition portion of the dielectric block is dimensioned for insertion coupling into an end of the waveguide. A dielectric radiator portion is provided between the waveguide transition portion and a sub-reflector support portion. An outer diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is provided with a plurality of radially inward grooves extending radially inward to a diameter less than an inner diameter of the end of the waveguide and a lens bore extends from a proximal end of the dielectric block towards the distal end of the dielectric block at least to the sub-reflector support portion. The unitary dielectric block may be manufactured as a single contiguous monolithic portion of dielectric material via injection molding.

Abstract: A band clamp for coupling a radome to a distal end of a reflector dish for improving the front to back ratio of a reflector antenna, is provided with an inward projecting proximal lip and an inward projecting distal lip. The distal lip is dimensioned with an inner diameter equal to or less than a reflector aperture of the reflector dish. The proximal lip may be provided with an inward bias dimensioned to engage the reflector dish in an interference fit and/or turnback region dimensioned to engage an outer surface of a signal area of the reflector dish in an interference fit. A variety of different configurations of protruding portions extending from the band clamp may be applied to further improve electrical performance.

Abstract: An antenna hub for a reflector dish has a frame with a feed aperture. A plurality of feet are coupled to the frame; each of the feet provided with a dish fastener coupling axis normal to a dish surface contacting each of the feet when the reflector dish is seated upon the feet, the feed bore of the reflector dish aligned coaxial with the feed aperture. The frame and feet may be formed via extrusion.

Abstract: An interconnection retaining a radome upon a periphery of a reflector dish has a plurality of curved channel portions, each of the channel portions provided with an open periphery slot and an open retention slot. The periphery slot dimensioned to receive the peripheries of the radome and reflector dish. The channel portions are arranged end-to-end adjacent to one another, encircling the peripheries of the radome and reflector dish seated within the periphery slot. A gap may be provided between one or more of the channel portions. A link member is seated within the retention slot at an end of each adjacent channel portion. The retention slot at the end of each of the adjacent channel portions is crimped upon the link member. The link member may be, for example, a portion of threaded rod or a molded portion of polymer material.

Abstract: A radome for an antenna is provided as a composite of an isotropic outer layer and a structural layer of foamed polymer material. The composite is dimensioned to enclose an open end of the antenna. The radome may be retained upon the antenna by a retaining element and fasteners. The outer layer may be a polymer material with a water resistant characteristic.

Abstract: An antenna hub for a reflector dish has a frame with a feed aperture. A plurality of feet are coupled to the frame; each of the feet provided with a dish fastener coupling axis normal to a dish surface contacting each of the feet when the reflector dish is seated upon the feet, the feed bore of the reflector dish aligned coaxial with the feed aperture. The frame and feet may be formed via extrusion.

Abstract: A radome for covering an open end of a reflector dish of a reflector antenna has a generally planar portion of twin-wall extruded polymer material dimensioned to cover the open end of the reflector dish. A periphery of the planar portion is provided with a plurality of slits, the slits defining a plurality of tabs. The tabs are dimensioned for folding around a rim of the reflector dish. The tabs may be retained in the folded position by, for example, a band clamp or directly coupling a portion of the tabs to the planar portion.

Abstract: A dielectric cone radiator sub-reflector assembly for a reflector antenna with a waveguide supported sub-reflector is provided as a unitary dielectric block with a sub-reflector at a distal end. A waveguide transition portion of the dielectric block is dimensioned for insertion coupling into an end of the waveguide. A dielectric radiator portion is provided between the waveguide transition portion and a sub-reflector support portion. An outer diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is provided with a plurality of radially inward grooves extending radially inward to a diameter less than an inner diameter of the end of the waveguide and a lens bore extends from a proximal end of the dielectric block towards the distal end of the dielectric block at least to the sub-reflector support portion. The unitary dielectric block may be manufactured as a single contiguous monolithic portion of dielectric material via injection molding.

Abstract: An interconnection retaining a radome upon a periphery of a reflector dish has a plurality of curved channel portions, each of the channel portions provided with an open periphery slot and an open retention slot. The periphery slot dimensioned to receive the peripheries of the radome and reflector dish. The channel portions are arranged end-to-end adjacent to one another, encircling the peripheries of the radome and reflector dish seated within the periphery slot. A gap may be provided between one or more of the channel portions. A link member is seated within the retention slot at an end of each adjacent channel portion. The retention slot at the end of each of the adjacent channel portions is crimped upon the link member. The link member may be, for example, a portion of threaded rod or a molded portion of polymer material.

Abstract: A radome for covering an open end of a reflector dish of a reflector antenna has a generally planar portion of twin-wall extruded polymer material dimensioned to cover the open end of the reflector dish. A periphery of the planar portion is provided with a plurality of slits, the slits defining a plurality of tabs. The tabs are dimensioned for folding around a rim of the reflector dish. The tabs may be retained in the folded position by, for example, a band clamp or directly coupling a portion of the tabs to the planar portion.

Abstract: A band clamp for coupling a radome to a distal end of a reflector dish for improving the front to back ratio of a reflector antenna, is provided with an inward projecting proximal lip and an inward projecting distal lip. The distal lip is dimensioned with an inner diameter equal to or less than a reflector aperture of the reflector dish. The proximal lip may be provided with an inward bias dimensioned to engage the reflector dish in an interference fit and/or turnback region dimensioned to engage an outer surface of a signal area of the reflector dish in an interference fit. A variety of different configurations of protruding portions extending from the band clamp may be applied to further improve electrical performance.