Using usb or ps2 to power an antenna?

gosu · 12-17-2004

I tried doing a search but couldn't find anything.

I was wondering if someone already makes a powered antenna that takes the 5 volts from the USB bus or ps2 interface. does this even make sense for a laptop application? forgive my ignorance.

If it is not in production, would something like this be hard to make? Maybe the current supplied by these busses are not enough to make a difference?

if i am understanding this correctly, a powered antenna would only be useful for AP applications and transmissions only right?

the reason i came up with this idea is because i saw some powered tv antennas while i was shopping and was wondering if the extra power actually helped with reception.

-a

Thorn · 12-17-2004

A "powered antenna" is actually an antenna with a Receive-Only Radio Frequency (RF) amplifier. You may purchase these devices, but they are costly. (Think $100+ to start.) Since most devices in the ISM band are both Transmit and Receive they have very limited applications. They also tend to be rather rare.

Transmit and Transmit/Receive RF amplifiers tend to be seen more often, but cost even more. (Starting at ~$200 for 0.25W TX power.)

You should probably stay way from TX amps unless you know what you are doing with RF power. First, it is relatively easy to get into a situation that is illegal unless you know the limits and how they work. Secondly, these devices transmit using microwaves, and they are potentially dangerous unless you know something about RF

As to making your own, it can be done, but it is time consuming, costly and may not give the results you want. The techniques involved require precision manufacturing of printed circuits to within several thousands of an inch.

If you are still interested in making your own, you may want to look into the antenna theory and construction books at www.ARRL.org

12-17-2004	#1 (permalink)
gosu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1	Using usb or ps2 to power an antenna? I tried doing a search but couldn't find anything. I was wondering if someone already makes a powered antenna that takes the 5 volts from the USB bus or ps2 interface. does this even make sense for a laptop application? forgive my ignorance. If it is not in production, would something like this be hard to make? Maybe the current supplied by these busses are not enough to make a difference? if i am understanding this correctly, a powered antenna would only be useful for AP applications and transmissions only right? the reason i came up with this idea is because i saw some powered tv antennas while i was shopping and was wondering if the extra power actually helped with reception. -a

12-17-2004	#2 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,359	A "powered antenna" is actually an antenna with a Receive-Only Radio Frequency (RF) amplifier. You may purchase these devices, but they are costly. (Think $100+ to start.) Since most devices in the ISM band are both Transmit and Receive they have very limited applications. They also tend to be rather rare. Transmit and Transmit/Receive RF amplifiers tend to be seen more often, but cost even more. (Starting at ~$200 for 0.25W TX power.) You should probably stay way from TX amps unless you know what you are doing with RF power. First, it is relatively easy to get into a situation that is illegal unless you know the limits and how they work. Secondly, these devices transmit using microwaves, and they are potentially dangerous unless you know something about RF As to making your own, it can be done, but it is time consuming, costly and may not give the results you want. The techniques involved require precision manufacturing of printed circuits to within several thousands of an inch. If you are still interested in making your own, you may want to look into the antenna theory and construction books at www.ARRL.org __________________ Thorn "Read Altas Shrugged. Compare it to today. Repeat as necessary"

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