VARIABLE HEIGHT ANTENNA DRONES

[spacellamaman]

Just noticed this NOTAM and thought it may be of interest. I know nothing more than what it says, let the pondering begin.

KFBG SIMMONS AAF

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M0037/24 - AERODROME VICINITY OF AREAS RR AND SS: VARIABLE HEIGHT ANTENNA DRONES WILL BE IN THE LOCATIONS OF 17SPU87286 94646 17SPU88861 93653 17SPU90392 93687 17SPU89433 96555 THEY WILL BE RAISED TO A HEIGHT OF 200 FT ABOVE GROUND LEVEL AND WILL HAVE A STROBE LIGHT THAT OSCILLATES RED AND WHITE. CREWS ENTERING THIS AREA WILL REMAIN VIGILANT. 23 JAN 05:01 2024 UNTIL 24 JAN 04:59 2024. CREATED: 19 JAN 22:48 2024

 

[drdispatch]

Maybe something like this:

Drone for Tactical Communications

Tethered drone for communications : Increase the range and connectivity of a tactical network by using our solution as a Variable Height Antenna.

elistair.com

 

[spacellamaman]

yeah that looks about right. I like the concept, just wonder about the "air time" as changing batts has got to be an issue. Unless...there is a drop cord....

 

[mmckenna]

yeah that looks about right. I like the concept, just wonder about the "air time" as changing batts has got to be an issue. Unless...there is a drop cord....

Yeah, they tether them. There's a few companies that make these for communications use.

Orion Tethered Drone

Orion 2 tethered drone system is a by design tethered drone providing timely and actionable intelligence to help people in the field protect lives.

elistair.com

 

[gary123]

I too have seen similar systems in operation. they fall into two categories. First is a aerial repeater. The second is a antenna that is fed using the tether. The second are often balloons rather than drones being cheaper, effective and reusable.

 

[spacellamaman]

I too have seen similar systems in operation. they fall into two categories. First is a aerial repeater. The second is a antenna that is fed using the tether. The second are often balloons rather than drones being cheaper, effective and reusable.

yeah i remember the first time i saw an aerostat, driving down the lonely road near Marfa Tx. Then a decade later, seeing that they were made in my backyard, Weeksville NC. super neat, but super big too. the idea of a drone, not-lighter-than-air, seems to be a far more specific tool in the toolbox.

I was thinking that it would be for quick deployment ie: raise the antenna/wire, transmit, land the drone and then boogie before your location becomes a smoking hole in the ground. it seems that there are other uses tho.