Oooh, I realize I can now build wearable antennas using this sewing machine. I just need to buy some conductive thread and figure out what kind of antenna design to sew into something... Radio hat? T-shirt shortwave antenna? Wearable APRS tracker?
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/sewing-with-conductive-thread
@ai6yr
Can you make a cycling shirt that makes the wearer appear the size of a semi to radar?
This bicubic reflector is too ugly.
https://newatlas.com/bicycles/radian-wingman-bicycle-collision-avoidance/
@MisterMadge @ai6yr Rather than add a $$$ corner-reflector with questionable light, prefer to keep existing super-bright pulsing light and add a zero-cost DIY copper tape or aluminum foil covered cut-out corner of a cardboard box onto rear of bike. About 1.5 to 2 inches on a side should be plenty big enough for millimeter automotive radar systems. Should be an easy build with hardest part mounting it onto the bike seat post or rear rack.
@n8dmt @MisterMadge I was thinking the conductive thread in a cycling jersey or addition on a safety vest might work
@n8dmt @MisterMadge Although alignment of an exact right angle might be hard, I suspect that just putting some kind of grid into a safety vest would make it extremely radar reflective since humans are not flat. The only question I have is how dense of a grid you'd need to show up on the radar systems. Better to put a bunch of grid patches on the vest in various spots, or are you just good putting a strip of wires across the back, etc.
https://www.rfwireless-world.com/articles/antenna-design/antenna-reflector-types
@ai6yr
The grid must be smaller than the wavelength (compare microwave oven, different usecase), but an individual reflector "cell" larger. Because, damn you, waves...
@n8dmt @MisterMadge
@itnomad @ai6yr @MisterMadge It’s likely the Radar Cross Section (RCS) that counts most towards being detected by the vehicle’s systems. Have questions about how the driver would be alerted when the bike/rider is detected ahead. Like the idea of helping vehicles better “see” bike riders. Beginning to think that a pool noodle covered along the rear side with HVAC metallic tape might be a easy/low-cost everyday solution. Cheap and easily replaced while enlarging rider keep away space.
@n8dmt @itnomad @MisterMadge Hmm... cape with many little radar reflectors sewn in? LOL.
@n8dmt @itnomad @MisterMadge Looks like mylar is fairly radar reflective... mylar strips sewn into an existing safety jacket/vest might just be the trick.