Hello all,i plan on making a project with a hidden antenna if going to be this antenna right here :
My question is,will encapuslating the exposed area of the antenna in slip latex/liquid latex hinder the range of the device to a severe level?
I plan on using esp-07 has host MCU using the antenna on a horizontal axis and using no more than the thickness of a small cell phone charger cord(dont have a measuring device near,dont crucify me please) will it be worth it? I plan on using the device as a wifi/AP repeater so range is my priorty but so is discretion any help or thoughts would be valued,thanks in advance!
Antennas are designed to be mounted in free space, that is out in the open and away from obstructions. Covering or coating an antenna will change its capacitance to the surroundings, changing its tuning and decreasing its effectiveness. So, yes the range will be decreased.
Antennas designed for free space are one length. When used in air, the need to be slightly shorter. An antenna designed as a bare copper wire will appear to be longer if insulated wire is used instead.
The problem is diffraction at the interface of the two mediums. So putting anything extra on an antenna will make it appear too long and definitely affect it's performance.
Think what happens if you put something over a light. Not as much energy can get out, so the light appears to get dim. Your light sensors,eyes, also are antennas. Your project antenna is just at a lower frequency.