Can I Calculate Satellite Dish Curvature for a Specific Radio Wavelength?

AI Thread Summary
The curvature of a satellite dish, or parabolic antenna, is not determined by the radio wavelength but rather by its design to focus signals at a specific focal point. The diameter of the dish significantly impacts its gain at different frequencies, with larger dishes providing better gain at higher frequencies. For example, a 2-meter dish will have much higher gain at 10 GHz compared to 5 GHz, and very low gain at 144 MHz. Understanding these principles is crucial for optimizing satellite dish performance. Overall, the relationship between dish size, curvature, and frequency is key to effective signal reception.
Lord_Segan
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How can I mathematically determine curvature for a satellite dish for a specific radio wavelength?
 
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It has nothing to do with the wavelength. And the fact that they are actually called parabolic antennas should give you a clue as to their curvature ;)
 
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As DrClaude said it isn't frequency related
The curvature amount determines the focal point location
eg.
http://www.satsig.net/focal-length-parabolic-dish.htm

EDIT:
The physical size --- diameter of the dish will affect the gain at a given wavelength ( frequency)
eg say a dish of 2 metres diameter is going to have much more gain at 10 GHz (3cm wavelength) than it is at 5GHz ( 6cm wavelength)

that 2 metre dish is going to have very low gain at 144MHz ( 2 metre wavelength) and even worse as the wavelength becomes significantly larger than the size of the dishcheers
Dave
 
OK, thank you.
 

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