Hi folks<
I have been toying with the idea of building a tracking antenna for my multicopter. I have pretty well decided on using two pairs of very directional (slightly splayed) antenna each for the tilt and pan operations perhaps using the simple 'diversity' circuit recently published on the youtube site to power stepper motor drive circuits. The idea being of using the signal strength difference from the returning 5.8GHz FPV signal from the aircraft. I am reasonably sure that I can sort out the electronic side of the apparatus but I have little idea about the receiving antenna themselves. With the little knowledge that I have, I was considering using printed circuit 'yagi' antennae inside two slightly divergent metal wave guides for very fine directionality to give me only a very limited overlap on the incoming 5.8GHz signal then using detector diodes passing through a differential circuit to the motor drive logic.
Another problem that I would have would be to feed the 2.4GHz transmitting signal into a revolving table that would otherwise twist the cable to destruction. I had two possible ideas: one is that I have a small slip ring device (12.5mm) with 3 circuits (6 wires at each end) but am concerned that I would not have sufficient shielding. The other idea that I had was to again use a metal wave guide tube fitted with a bearing inside another tube to feed the 2.4GHz antenna. I know that I am clutching at straws with these ideas as I don't really have a clue. Do any of you folks have any ideas and perhaps give me some pointers?