From c83a2ef56f2530e2e8f3e8961377df819cdf0318 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Claude Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2026 22:09:59 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Add antenna quick reference guides to all mode sidebar panels Each SDR mode now includes frequency-specific antenna guidance: - Pager: VHF/UHF dipole info for 153/929 MHz bands - 433 MHz Sensors: quarter-wave ground plane for ISM band - Utility Meters: 912 MHz stock antenna tips and upgrades - APRS: 2m band dipole and commercial options for 144.39 MHz - SSTV: V-dipole for ISS reception at 145.800 MHz - AIS: marine VHF antenna for 162 MHz vessel tracking - Listening Post: wideband discone recommendation with band table - Meshtastic: LoRa 915/868 MHz antenna upgrades and placement - ADS-B: 1090 MHz collinear, commercial options, LNA/placement Each guide includes antenna type, element lengths, placement tips, and a quick reference table with key specs for the mode. https://claude.ai/code/session_01FjLTkyELaqh27U1wEXngFQ --- templates/adsb_dashboard.html | 82 ++++++++++++++++++++ templates/partials/modes/ais.html | 69 ++++++++++++++++ templates/partials/modes/aprs.html | 55 +++++++++++++ templates/partials/modes/listening-post.html | 72 +++++++++++++++++ templates/partials/modes/meshtastic.html | 68 ++++++++++++++++ templates/partials/modes/pager.html | 56 +++++++++++++ templates/partials/modes/rtlamr.html | 53 +++++++++++++ templates/partials/modes/sensor.html | 55 +++++++++++++ templates/partials/modes/sstv.html | 60 ++++++++++++++ 9 files changed, 570 insertions(+) diff --git a/templates/adsb_dashboard.html b/templates/adsb_dashboard.html index 9a12a1c..c9371fd 100644 --- a/templates/adsb_dashboard.html +++ b/templates/adsb_dashboard.html @@ -223,6 +223,88 @@ + + +
+
+ ANTENNA GUIDE + ▶ +
+ +
diff --git a/templates/partials/modes/ais.html b/templates/partials/modes/ais.html index 0896aec..a2155c0 100644 --- a/templates/partials/modes/ais.html +++ b/templates/partials/modes/ais.html @@ -26,6 +26,75 @@ + +
+

Antenna Guide

+
+

+ Marine VHF band (162 MHz) — stock SDR antenna will NOT work well +

+ +
+ Simple Dipole (Cheapest) +
    +
  • Element length: ~46 cm each (quarter-wave at 162 MHz)
    • +
  • Material: Wire, coat hanger, or copper rod
    • +
  • Orientation: Vertical (AIS is vertically polarized)
    • +
  • Placement: As high as possible with clear view of the water/harbor
    • +
+
+ +
+ Commercial Options +
    +
  • Marine VHF whip: ~$20–50, designed for 156–163 MHz band
    • +
  • Discone: ~$30–50, wideband coverage including marine VHF
    • +
  • Collinear: Higher gain (~6 dBi), best for coastal monitoring
    • +
+
+ +
+ Placement Tips +
    +
  • Height is critical: AIS is line-of-sight. Roof or mast mount is ideal
    • +
  • Range: At 10m height, expect ~25 NM (46 km) range over water
    • +
  • LNA: Nooelec Lana or similar broadband LNA, mount at antenna
    • +
  • Coax: Keep cable short. RG-58 loses ~4 dB per 10m at 162 MHz
    • +
+
+ +
+ Quick Reference + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
AIS Channel A161.975 MHz
AIS Channel B162.025 MHz
Quarter-wave length46 cm
ModulationGMSK 9600 baud
Bandwidth25 kHz
PolarizationVertical
+
+
+
+ diff --git a/templates/partials/modes/aprs.html b/templates/partials/modes/aprs.html index 9dceb97..f1053ee 100644 --- a/templates/partials/modes/aprs.html +++ b/templates/partials/modes/aprs.html @@ -13,4 +13,59 @@ Controls in function bar above map + + +
+

Antenna Guide

+
+

+ 2m band (144–148 MHz) — stock SDR antenna will NOT work +

+ +
+ Simple Dipole (Easiest) +
    +
  • Element length: ~51.5 cm each (quarter-wave at 144.39 MHz)
    • +
  • Material: Wire, coat hanger, or copper rod
    • +
  • Orientation: Vertical (APRS is FM, vertically polarized)
    • +
  • Connection: Center conductor to one element, shield to the other
    • +
+
+ +
+ Commercial Options +
    +
  • Mag-mount 2m whip: ~$15–25, good mobile/portable option
    • +
  • 2m/70cm dual-band: ~$20–40, also covers 70cm ham band
    • +
  • Discone: ~$30–50, wideband but lower gain on 2m
    • +
+
+ +
+ Quick Reference + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
APRS freq (N. America)144.390 MHz
APRS freq (Europe)144.800 MHz
Quarter-wave length51.5 cm
ModulationFM 1200 baud
PolarizationVertical
+
+
+
diff --git a/templates/partials/modes/listening-post.html b/templates/partials/modes/listening-post.html index 97e45eb..f09188f 100644 --- a/templates/partials/modes/listening-post.html +++ b/templates/partials/modes/listening-post.html @@ -46,4 +46,76 @@ + +
+

Antenna Guide

+
+

+ Wideband listening — antenna choice depends on your target frequency +

+ +
+ Stock Telescopic Antenna +
    +
  • Best range: 800 MHz–1.2 GHz (tuned near 1 GHz)
    • +
  • Usable for: Airband, trunked radio, cell bands
    • +
  • Poor below: ~400 MHz (too short for VHF/lower UHF)
    • +
+
+ +
+ Discone (Best All-rounder — ~$30-50) +
    +
  • Coverage: ~25 MHz to 1.3 GHz continuous
    • +
  • Gain: ~2 dBi (modest but consistent across bands)
    • +
  • Polarization: Vertical omnidirectional
    • +
  • Placement: Outdoors, as high as possible
    • +
+

+ Ideal for scanning — covers VHF, UHF, airband, marine, public safety, and more in one antenna. +

+
+ +
+ Tuned Antenna (Best for One Band) +
    +
  • Formula: Element length (cm) = 7500 / frequency (MHz)
    • +
  • Example: 155 MHz police → 48.4 cm per element dipole
    • +
  • Example: 460 MHz UHF → 16.3 cm per element dipole
    • +
  • Higher gain: ~3–5 dBi better than discone on target freq
    • +
+
+ +
+ Quick Reference + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
RTL-SDR range24–1766 MHz
VHF low band30–88 MHz
VHF high band136–174 MHz
UHF band400–520 MHz
Airband (AM)118–137 MHz
λ/4 formula7500 / MHz cm
+
+
+
+ diff --git a/templates/partials/modes/meshtastic.html b/templates/partials/modes/meshtastic.html index fcf3f9a..19bc102 100644 --- a/templates/partials/modes/meshtastic.html +++ b/templates/partials/modes/meshtastic.html @@ -55,6 +55,74 @@ + + +
+

Antenna Guide

+
+

+ LoRa ISM band — frequency depends on region +

+ +
+ Stock Device Antenna +
    +
  • Most devices: Ship with a small 915/868 MHz stubby antenna
    • +
  • Works for: Short range (< 1 km) urban, indoor testing
    • +
  • Upgrade: Replace with tuned antenna for 5–20x range improvement
    • +
+
+ +
+ Recommended Upgrades +
    +
  • Whip antenna: ~$8–15, tuned 915/868 MHz, SMA connector
    • +
  • Ground plane: 8.2 cm vertical + 4 radials (915 MHz) on SMA
    • +
  • Yagi: ~$15–30, directional, great for point-to-point links
    • +
  • Collinear: ~$20–40, omnidirectional with higher gain (~5–8 dBi)
    • +
+
+ +
+ Placement Tips +
    +
  • Height wins: Elevating antenna 10m can double or triple range
    • +
  • Line of sight: LoRa works best with clear LOS to other nodes
    • +
  • Connector: Most devices use SMA or RP-SMA — check before buying
    • +
+
+ +
+ Quick Reference + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
US / Americas915 MHz
EU / UK / India868 MHz
915 MHz λ/48.2 cm
868 MHz λ/48.6 cm
ModulationLoRa (CSS)
Typical range1–15 km
+
+
+
diff --git a/templates/partials/modes/pager.html b/templates/partials/modes/pager.html index b9ba229..b9bef14 100644 --- a/templates/partials/modes/pager.html +++ b/templates/partials/modes/pager.html @@ -75,6 +75,62 @@ + +
+

Antenna Guide

+
+

+ Pager frequencies vary by region (130–930 MHz) +

+ +
+ Stock Telescopic Antenna +
    +
  • Works for: UHF pager bands (~900 MHz) — the stock antenna is tuned near 1 GHz
    • +
  • Extend to: ~8 cm for 929 MHz (quarter-wave)
    • +
  • For VHF (~150 MHz): Stock antenna is too short. Build a dipole (see below)
    • +
+
+ +
+ Simple Dipole (Best for VHF Pagers) +
    +
  • For 153 MHz: Two elements, each ~49 cm (quarter-wave)
    • +
  • For 929 MHz: Two elements, each ~8 cm
    • +
  • Formula: Element length (cm) = 7500 / frequency (MHz)
    • +
  • Material: Any wire, coat hanger, or copper rod
    • +
  • Orientation: Vertical (pager signals are vertically polarized)
    • +
+
+ +
+ Quick Reference + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Common UHF freq929 MHz
Common VHF freq153.350 MHz
ModulationFM (NFM)
Bandwidth~12.5 kHz
PolarizationVertical
+
+
+
+ diff --git a/templates/partials/modes/rtlamr.html b/templates/partials/modes/rtlamr.html index af92918..55de5cd 100644 --- a/templates/partials/modes/rtlamr.html +++ b/templates/partials/modes/rtlamr.html @@ -58,6 +58,59 @@ + +
+

Antenna Guide

+
+

+ ISM 900 MHz band — stock antenna is close but not optimal +

+ +
+ Stock Telescopic Antenna +
    +
  • 912 MHz: Extend to ~8.2 cm (quarter-wave). The stock antenna is close enough to work
    • +
  • Range: Most meters transmit at ~100 mW, expect 50–200 m range with stock antenna
    • +
+
+ +
+ Upgraded Options +
    +
  • Ground Plane: 8.2 cm vertical + four 8.2 cm radials at 45° on SMA connector
    • +
  • Yagi: Directional for targeting specific meters at distance (~$15–25)
    • +
  • Placement: Near a window facing the meters. Line-of-sight matters most
    • +
+
+ +
+ Quick Reference + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Frequency (NA)912 MHz
Frequency (EU)868 MHz
912 MHz λ/48.2 cm
Meter TX power~100 mW
PolarizationVertical
+
+
+
+ diff --git a/templates/partials/modes/sensor.html b/templates/partials/modes/sensor.html index 48b9238..c28e553 100644 --- a/templates/partials/modes/sensor.html +++ b/templates/partials/modes/sensor.html @@ -39,6 +39,61 @@ + +
+

Antenna Guide

+
+

+ ISM band devices (433 / 868 / 915 MHz) +

+ +
+ Stock Telescopic Antenna +
    +
  • 433 MHz: Extend to ~17 cm (quarter-wave). Stock antenna works but isn't ideal
    • +
  • 868/915 MHz: Extend to ~8 cm. Stock antenna is nearly tuned for this
    • +
+
+ +
+ Quarter-Wave Ground Plane (Best) +
    +
  • 433 MHz: Vertical element 17.3 cm + four 17.3 cm radials at 45°
    • +
  • 868 MHz: Vertical element 8.6 cm + four 8.6 cm radials
    • +
  • 915 MHz: Vertical element 8.2 cm + four 8.2 cm radials
    • +
  • Material: Stiff copper wire soldered to an SMA connector
    • +
  • Placement: Outdoors or near a window. Higher is better for range
    • +
+
+ +
+ Quick Reference + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
433 MHz λ/417.3 cm
868 MHz λ/48.6 cm
915 MHz λ/48.2 cm
Typical range50–300 m
PolarizationVertical
+
+
+
+ diff --git a/templates/partials/modes/sstv.html b/templates/partials/modes/sstv.html index 236c4eb..e264936 100644 --- a/templates/partials/modes/sstv.html +++ b/templates/partials/modes/sstv.html @@ -39,4 +39,64 @@ Common modes: PD120, PD180, Martin1, Scottie1

+ + +
+

Antenna Guide

+
+

+ 2m band (145.800 MHz) — stock SDR antenna will NOT work +

+ +
+ V-Dipole (Easiest — ~$5) +
    +
  • Element length: ~51 cm each (quarter-wave at 145.8 MHz)
    • +
  • Angle: 120° between elements for partial RHCP
    • +
  • Orientation: Lay flat, angled toward the ISS pass direction
    • +
  • Material: Wire, coat hanger, or copper rod
    • +
+

+ Same antenna as weather satellites (similar frequency). A QFH or turnstile for 137 MHz also works well here. +

+
+ +
+ Tips for ISS Reception +
    +
  • ISS altitude: ~420 km, overhead passes last 5–10 minutes
    • +
  • Best passes: Elevation > 30° for clear signal
    • +
  • Outdoors: Clear sky view is essential. Roof or open field
    • +
  • LNA: Optional but helps — 2m filtered LNA at antenna feed
    • +
  • Doppler: ISS moves fast — signal shifts ±3.5 kHz during pass
    • +
+
+ +
+ Quick Reference + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
ISS SSTV frequency145.800 MHz
Quarter-wave length51 cm
ModulationFM (25 kHz)
PolarizationRHCP (circular)
Typical pass duration5–10 min
+
+
+