Size matters
The size of an antenna is related to wavelength. Lower frequencies have longer wavelengths, so antennas made for those frequencies are usually larger.
SPARKA topic
Antennas: how a radio reaches beyond the radio.
An antenna is the part of a radio system that sends radio waves out and picks radio waves up. It connects the electrical signals inside the radio with the electromagnetic waves traveling through space.
Waves matter
Frequency tells us how fast a radio wave repeats. Wavelength tells us how long one complete wave is. When one changes, the other changes too.
Shape matters
Different antenna shapes send and receive energy in different ways. Dipoles, verticals, loops and Yagis are built differently because they are meant to do different jobs.
STEM connections
One antenna, four STEM disciplines.
Electromagnetic waves, resonance, fields and propagation.
Radios, feed lines, connectors, analyzers, SDRs and digital systems.
Mechanical support, impedance matching, materials and real-world compromises.
Ratios, wavelength formulas, unit conversion, geometry and logarithms.
Choose a path
Antenna families
The proof of concept opens the Dipole path first. The others show where the Lab can grow.
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FUTURE
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Dipoles
Two conductors, one feed point, and a beautiful way to see frequency and wavelength in action.
Explore dipoles →Verticals
Quarter-wave radiators, ground systems, radiation angles and practical mobile antennas.
Loops
Full-wave loops, magnetic loops, geometry, fields and compact-antenna tradeoffs.
Directional arrays
Yagis, elements, phase relationships, gain and why antennas can favor one direction.