In a world where everything seems to exist already, it's not always easy to come by solid, original ideas. Sometimes a piece of technology that comes about makes you wonder why you haven't seen it before. The Shakesphere INFL8-HAM inflatable dual-band antenna is one of those marvels.
The Shakesphere INFL8 is a portable inflatable antenna for use with HAM radio. This simple and practical idea is surprisingly unique and could prove endlessly vital. But perhaps the most exciting aspect is that you can fit it into any corner of your backpack with ease.
How does it hold up? What exactly are you getting, and how does it work? Read on for the complete review, including the contents, uses and overall impressions of this nifty bit of tech.
What's in the Box?
While the term ‘inflatable antenna’ may conjure up images of giant balloons in space, the INFL8 fresh out the box is small enough to fit in your hand. Inside the high-visibility pouch are several components stored in an organised order.
When folded up, your antenna looks no larger than the span of the pouch itself, but inflated will grow up to 1.6 meters. Its fluorescent yellow is eye-catching, and while not intended for use as a visual distress signal, it can certainly attract attention.
Inflation comes in two intuitive ways, including an easy use pull-to-inflate CO2 canister that takes mere seconds, or alternatively a red blow-up tube for manual use. Once inflated, there are several options for installation, including hooks at the top of the antenna, Velcro mounts or two holes for threading a cord. To deflate, press a finger inside the red blow-up tube.
Along with the antenna itself, the pouch contains 6 meters of RG-174 with a PL259 connector, an SMA to 20239 connector, and an extra handy length of cord for tying the antenna in place.
Shakesphere INFL8-HAM Inflatable Dual Band Antenna Review: Our Initial Impressions
Overall, the INFL8 is a handy piece of equipment. To have something so practical that you can chuck into your backpack without a moment's thought is never a bad thing.
The first thing that stands out is how simple it is to deploy and deflate. It takes all of two seconds to use the pull-out CO2 canister, and when not in an emergency, the manual blow up would not take long at all. With all the options for installation, it's not hard to find the proper place to mount the antenna. All to say, in less than a minute, your signal could be vastly improved, with little to no fuss.
The clever pouch packaging makes it easily portable, and on top of that, due to its small size, you don't need to worry about it weighing down your pack. It's easy to unpack and simple to reassemble, and its high visibility colour makes it almost impossible to miss in a hurry.
In terms of signal range, it delivers on all the promises, and for what it offers and costs, it will not disappoint.
What to Use the Shakesphere INFL8-HAM Inflatable Dual Band Antenna For?
As the number of amateur radio users continues to grow in the UK, the INFL8 is an portable device you will always want to carry with you. When you are far out of normal range for you standard HAM antenna, you may want to have something with you to rely on when you need a signal boost.
Every second counts in emergencies and with a range that is more than 3x that of helical emergency antennas this antenna could mean rescue or assistance.
The INFL8's lightweight, high visibility design and easy installation make it a versatile device to use when you need reliable communication. You can find a place to attach it and have it working within one minute.
Conclusion
Whether this is something you need is a question only you can answer, but this is an excellent practical option for situations outside of your normal antennas radio range. It's easy deployment and no-fuss storage capabilities make the INFL8-HAM Inflatable Dual-Band Antenna worth its price.
New practical ideas are always welcome, especially one that serves a potentially life-saving function. In terms of scope, the future of the inflatable antenna has only just begun. Will we see an option with helium inflation? It's certainly an exciting idea, and the internet is calling for it.
Pick up the Shakesphere INFL8-HAM and many more options at Moonraker,and let us know your thoughts!