Abstract:
The invention teaches a telecommunications antenna with a housing comprising a radome ( 12 ) and a radiator ( 70 ) arranged in the housing, wherein the radiator ( 70 ) is mounted to a support structure ( 30 ) that is conductive in the electromagnetic sense, said support structure so engaging the housing that it is in either one of a rotatable fashion or a rotatably fixed fashion about and axis, in that at least one body ( 80 ) that is non-conductive in the electromagnetic sense is tensionable in a direction parallel to the axis in such a fashion that a transition from the rotatable fashion to the rotatably fixed fashion is permitted by forming a frictional engagement.

Description:
CROSS-RELATION TO OTHER APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of and benefit to German Patent Application No. DE 10 215 003 358.1 “Antenna mit drehfähigem Strahler (Antenna with rotatable emitter)” filed on 16 Mar. 2015, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of telecommunication antennas and, in particular, the invention relates to a telecommunications antenna which can be used both in indoors and the outdoors. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In particular during the past few years, so-called micro-cell antennas have been used with increasing frequency. There is a need in the micro-cell antennas to take into account the construction of the surrounding area. In order to be able to cover defined areas in a targeted manner, a large variety of attempts have been made to provide telecommunications antennas or antenna arrays in which the whole of the telecommunications antenna or individual radiating elements of the telecommunications antenna are either controlled electronically, driven by a motor drive or provided with a possibility of mechanical adjustment. However, in general, the prior art solutions only allow a limited possibility of adjustment and, as soon as an adjustment is required that is substantially mechanical in nature, a substantial risk of so-called intermodulation occurs, since non-defined metal-on-metal contacts regularly exist between individual elements of the telecommunications antenna. The non-defined metal-on-metal contacts can impair the transmitting properties or reception properties of the telecommunications antenna due to temperature changes and also upon change of orientation. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This disclosure teaches a telecommunications antenna which enables a large range of adjustment possibilities and simultaneously can at least partially prevent intermodulation. 
         [0005]    The telecommunications antenna of this disclosure has a so-called radome-containing housing in which a radiator is arranged, wherein the radiator is mounted on an electroconductive support structure, for example a metallic support structure, which engages the housing selectively in either one of a rotatable fashion or a rotatably fixed fashion about an axis, in which housing at least one non-electroconductive body, for example a plastic body, is tensionable in a direction parallel to the axis, in such a fashion that a transition from the rotatable fashion to the rotatably fixed fashion is permitted by means of a frictional engagement. 
         [0006]    Within the meaning of the present application, the terms rotatable and rotatably fixed are to be understood to mean that in the rotatable state, a relatively low torque is required in order to effect a rotation of the support structure with reference to the housing, of approximately 2-3 Nm, whereas the term rotatably fixed is to be understood to mean that a substantially higher torque is required in order to effect a rotation, for example within a range of 7-10 Nm. Since the support structure usually also has the connector sockets for the cable connection of the telecommunications antenna, the torque that corresponds to a rotatably fixed configuration should be high enough at any rate to prevent an unintended rotation or twisting, for example through its own weight or through the tightening of the cables due to the cables being screwed to the connector sockets or, in outdoor applications, due to wind pressure. 
         [0007]    It has been found in a very surprising manner that the phenomenon of intermodulation can be practically eliminated by being able to tension two parts of the telecommunications antenna movable relative to each other by means of a non-electroconductive body, such that there is no risk of intermodulation at least with respect to this non-electroconductive body and the support structure for the radiator, which is usually made of metal. 
         [0008]    This effect can be further reinforced by providing a non-electroconductive bracket section, wherein the bracket section has, for example, an annular shape, in order to receive the support structure therein. This bracket ring can be manufactured as a plastic ring and can additionally be equipped with an attachment section, in order to be able to mount the telecommunications antenna on a building, a mast or the like. While it is preferred to manufacture the bracket section in its entirety of plastic, the person skilled in the art should recognize that, for example, for fixation to the building, metallic components or sections may still be used. In order to achieve the optimized prevention of intermodulation, the electroconductive (usually metallic) support structure can be tensioned by the non-electroconductive body against a similarly non-electroconductive bracket section. Thus, an intermetallic connection is not only prevented between the tensioned body and the support structure, but also with respect to any other metallic interaction. 
         [0009]    In a further aspect, the support structure is configured to be pot-shaped, in particular having a cylindrical wall extending with reference to the axis over a length of at least λ/20, ideally λ/10, for example corresponding to 15 mm at 2 GHz of the wavelength of the average operating frequency A of the radiator that is arranged or is to be arranged in the telecommunications antenna. The pot-shaped configuration of the electroconductive support structure permits on the one hand the incorporation of the cylindrical wall into the housing. The cable guides are usually provided on the support structure and can be executed so as to be shielded by the support structure, such that, through the pot-shaped configuration, the high-frequency currents, in particular the high-frequency mantle currents on the feeder cables, can remain on the inside of the pot, and are thus in a defined volume pointing towards the radiator. In this manner, the intermodulation can be even further reduced, in particular when it is taken into account that, with the exception of the metallic parts of the radiator itself, any metallic element, such as for example a screw for attaching the radiator or also external screws of the housing structure are provided in such a fashion that a corresponding shielding can be ensured by the pot shape. 
         [0010]    Advantageously, the support structure has an annularly protruding edge that can be brought into engagement with a groove in the housing. By such a configuration, a guided pivot bearing can be executed, wherein the protruding edge, particularly when provided in connection with a cylindrical wall, can rudimentarily provide a so-called labyrinth seal, such that the intrusion of dirt and water can be prevented. The annularly protruding edge, which can engage in interaction with a corresponding groove in the housing, additionally permits making available an easily calculable frictional engagement, by simply multiplying the corresponding surfaces with the corresponding tension force, such that the configuration of the complete telecommunications antenna can be determined easily, since it is possible for the person skilled in the art to ascertain the torque increase resulting from a tensioning action. 
         [0011]    Since the telecommunications antenna of the description can be used both indoors and in the outdoor environment, the support structure engages the housing via an O-ring. The O-ring provides both a sealing function and a slight frictional inhibition. For example it would be possible to introduce a groove in the cylindrical wall, in which an O-ring can then be received. This O-ring would on the one hand seal the transition between the support structure and the housing and, in the absence of a tension in an axial direction, it would still be possible to rotate the support structure with respect to the housing, since such a rotation is counteracted merely by the tension of the O-ring. However, the rotation is advantageously slightly inhibited, such that an exact angular adjustment can be achieved particularly easily. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, at least one non-electroconductive spacing element may be provided between the support structure and the radiator and/or between the radiator and the radome. For the decoupling between the support structure and the radiator, in order to avoid an impairment of the radiation properties of the radiator by the support structure, the radiator can be arranged in an axial direction at a defined distance from the support structure. For example, a plastic part can be used which engages the support structure (preferably in rotationally fixed fashion) and could, for example be a screw extending in the direction of the axis. At the other end of this plastic part the radiator itself can be arranged. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to hold the radiator centered in the housing by, for example, providing a spider-shaped arrangement at the distal end of the radiator, which is in one aspect also executed as a plastic part. 
         [0013]    In a further aspect the support structure has a rotation aid (for example an integrally molded hexagonal pin) and/or an angular indication or an angular indexation. As mentioned above, this disclosure teaches a large adjustment potential in that the radiator can be rotated about the axis by practically 360 degrees. However, in some applications it can be desirable that the user can use a marking indicating the degree of rotation upon adjustment of the telecommunications antenna, in order to be able to set and read off a desired orientation. Furthermore, an indexation can be advantageous, when for example predetermined angular adjustments are desired. It could be specified, for example, that for these special angular arrangements a different torque would be required in order to reach or leave this angular position. This could be implemented, for example, by means of notches or protrusions on the surface of the support structure that is oriented towards the tensioning body. 
         [0014]    In a further aspect, the non-electroconductive body is a clamping body, in particular affixed by fastener. The fastener may be any of a variety of fasteners, including, but not limited to a threaded fastener, such as a screw and also includes items such as a quick release. The fastener engages advantageously the non-electroconductive bracket section. The fastener will usually be manufactured in metal, however in an embodiment with a non-metallic bracket, the non-metallic bracket interacts with this non-metallic body, such that no intermetallic interaction occurs in this case either. The thus affixed body itself, which is non-metallic or, as explained in this disclosure, as non-electroconductive, in turn affixes the support structure which will most frequently be metallic, but in any case electroconductive, such that no engagement is present here either between two different, electroconductive parts. 
         [0015]    It is advantageous when for example, in a pot-shaped configuration of the support structure, that the metallic parts are shielded by the support structure. Insofar, it is desirable that the clamping body screw and/or the clamping body fastener and/or a fastener provided on the support body for fixing the spacer or the radiator does not extend beyond the extension of the support body in the direction of the radiator. Consequently, electromagnetic interference can be prevented even further, since practically no metallic objects whatsoever are present in the area of the radiator or of the feeder cables. In a further aspect, in addition to the support structure and the radiator arrangement itself, only the fasteners are metallic. These fasteners are exclusively between two non-metallic parts, such that any metal-on-metal transition can effectively be prevented, with the exception naturally of the cables required for feeding, in particular between the connector sockets which will usually be formed on the support structure and the radiator itself. 
         [0016]    For the purpose of making available an equal force distribution and/or preventing tilting problems, the non-electroconductive body can be configured as a claw or a catch with two legs permitting affixation, for example, on diametrically opposing sections. This configuration permits tensioning of a peripheral zone of the support structure, wherein for example connectors present within this peripheral zone do not lead to an interaction of any kind upon a desired rotation, since the legs can be present outside of the area which is occupied by the connectors. The configuration as a claw with two legs additionally permits a defined tension between the support structure and the housing and avoids excessive material stresses. 
         [0017]    In one aspect, the claw is provided with a tensioning section at its end, i.e. at the end of the legs. The tensioning section can protrude beyond a reference plane by for example 0.6 mm, as defined adjacent to the fastener, for tightening the non-conductive body in the electromagnetic sense. Such a tensioning property of the claw permits, for example, a relaxation of the tightening between the support structure and the housing, subsequent to which the frictional engagement between the claw and the support structure occurs only with regard to a very small surface, such that the required torque is hardly influenced thereby. In a further aspect with an O-ring as a result the rotation inhibition is substantially due to the O-ring. 
         [0018]    In the base area of the claw a protrusion is provided in order to be able to provide, for example, a tolerance compensation, if, for example, the groove in the housing is formed slightly deeper than the thickness of the protruding edge. Alternatively or additionally, a tensioning section can be provided also in the base area, such that carrying out the tightening leads to a defined degree of tightening between the support structure and the housing. 
         [0019]    Although the present invention can be used in principle for any of a variety of geometries of telecommunications antennas, it has been found that the arrangement is advantageous if the housing is formed cylindrically in its entirety, but at least in the area of the reception radiator, i.e. the radome. A cylindrical shape is advantageous both with respect to the wind pressure as well as optically. The cylindrical shape offers an arrangement possibility for the radiator by which as little space is lost as possible, such that the radiator can be rotated by practically 360 degrees. In a particularly simple aspect, the radome is, for example, a glass reinforce pipe (“GRP pipe”), which can then, for example, be configured with a support structure at one end. The support structure seals the end in a plug-like fashion and supports the radiator on the inside of the radome. This arrangement then permits an arbitrary rotation of the radiator without tension, in order to provide a desired orientation. As soon as the desired orientation has been obtained, it is sufficient to carry out the tensioning by means of the non-electroconductive body. The term “substantially cylindrical” is to be understood here to mean that connecting sections serving as fixations to the building are not detrimental to the cylindrical configuration. 
         [0020]    At least one pressure-responsive element and/or a securing device and/or a guide is provided in an axial direction for the non-electroconductive body. A pressure-responsive element can be configured, in particular, in the form of a valve or a membrane on the support structure, in order to be able to account, for example, for temperature variations. The pressure-responsive element prevents the formation of a condensate in the body. The pressure-responsive element can optionally also be used for checking the sealing of the telecommunications antenna by applying overpressure or under pressure. A securing device for the non-conductive body is executed, for example, as a clamping body and ensures that easy mounting is made possible, since the telecommunications antennas are frequently mounted at a substantial height. An additional guide in an axial direction, for example by means of shape complementarity can further contribute to preventing the claw-shaped clamping body from tilting, such that an even more homogeneous tensioning can be ensured. 
         [0021]    Finally, the telecommunications antenna has at least two radiators mounted on two electroconductive support structures, which are disposed in corresponding, distal sections of the radome and are executed in particular as identical elements. As already noted above, for example the telecommunications antenna can comprise a cylindrical radome with two support structures, for example made of metal, at the ends, to which the support structures or the radiators are fixed, which are then arranged on the inside of the radome, such that the corresponding angular positions can be adjusted and fixed independently of each other. As a result, with such a telecommunications antenna for example a street junction could be supplied particularly well, by aligning different ones of the radiators with intersecting streets. 
         [0022]    The person skilled in the art will recognize that within the framework of the present invention diverse changes and modifications are possible and in particular that the various features of individual preferred embodiments and aspects can be combined as desired with other features of other preferred embodiments. A broader understanding of the present invention can be gathered by the person skilled in the art also from the subsequent detailed description of preferred embodiments, which description is to be considered as merely exemplarily and non-limiting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The description makes reference to the enclosed drawings, in which there is shown: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  shows in a perspective cross-sectional view an arrangement for providing a telecommunications antenna, wherein the arrangement is illustrated without radiator or corresponding cable-connection. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  shows in a perspective view a support structure usable in the present invention with a radiator receiving element and two spacers. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a further perspective view of the object shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective detail view from above of a non-conductive body in the electromagnetic sense that is usable in the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  shows the body shown in  FIG. 4  in a perspective view, viewed from below. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  shows in a perspective manner an arrangement of a bracket and a support structure, corresponding to the upper section of  FIG. 1 , wherein a portion of the housing has been omitted for the sake of clarity. 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  shows a sectional view similar to  FIG. 1  of a telecommunications antenna in accordance with an embodiment with mounted radiators. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  shows the telecommunications antenna of  FIG. 7  in a cross-sectional view. 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a depiction similar to  FIG. 6  with mounted radiator. 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a depiction similar to  FIG. 2  with mounted radiator. 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a depiction similar to  FIG. 3  with mounted radiator. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    In  FIG. 1  an arrangement of the telecommunications antenna is illustrated in which radiators can be mounted to form the telecommunications antenna. The arrangement comprises a cylindrical housing section  12  which is usually also referred to as radome. This cylindrical housing section  12  serves to receive the radiators of the telecommunications antenna in the finished telecommunications antenna and to protect them against damage, soiling or other influences. This housing section  12 , which is depicted in a non-limiting manner in a cylindrical fashion in  FIG. 1 , can be provided in the form of a GRP pipe section having a circular diameter of around 10 centimeters. 
         [0036]    On the inside of the housing section  12 , radiator receiving means  64  are arranged in an upper area and a lower area. The radiator receiving means  64  are arranged centered in the housing part  12  by means of a spacer  66 , which will be described later in the course of the present description. The radiator receiving means  64  are provided at their distal ends with a further spacer  62 , in order to determine the position of the radiators in an axial direction and in a radial direction. These radiator receiving means  64  are executed in one aspect in an electroconductive material and act as reflector for the radiator  70  to be mounted on the radiator receiving means  64 . 
         [0037]    At the distal end of the spacing parts or spacers  63 , an electroconductive support structure  30  is disposed, which is configured in the shape of a metal pot in the illustrated embodiment. The support structure  30  is coupled to the spacer  62  via a screw  43 . The position of the screw  43  coincides with the center axis of the housing section  12 , with respect to which a rotatable radiator element  70  to be mounted later can be rotated through the support structure  30 . The engagement between the spacer  62  and the support structure  30  itself is made non-rotatable by means of suitable provisions (one example is protrusions on the inner surface of the support structure). 
         [0038]    The support structure  30 , here shown in the shape of a metal pot with a protruding edge  34 , is present on the inside with a bracket ring  14  of the housing and, with the protruding edge, abuts against an upper groove  14   a  formed in the bracket ring  14 . The annular bracket ring  14  in the embodiment illustrated here is coupled to the cylindrical housing section  12 , but could also be executed integrally with the cylindrical housing section  12 . On the inside of the bracket ring  14 , forming a part of the cylindrical housing section  12 , there extends a cylindrical wall  36  of the support structure  30  that is equipped with an O-ring  48 . 
         [0039]    The housing part  14 , configured as a bracket ring, is provided with an extension  16  on its left side which serves for coupling with a housing section or a carrier mast. In the immediate vicinity of the annular bracket ring  14  or the housing section  12 , a screw  83  fixes a body which is non-electroconductive, in the example a plastic claw  80 , in order to permit tensioning of the support structure in an axial direction with respect to the housing, or more precisely with respect to the bracket ring  14 . As can be seen, the screw  83  extends only in the non-metallic bracket, such that in the embodiment illustrated here, the plastic claw  80  couples to the non-metallic bracket by means of the metallic screw, in order to clamp the metallic support structure  30  between the non-metallic housing and the non-metallic clamping element  80 . As can be seen, the metallic screw  43  provides a coupling between the support structure and the spacing element  62  and extends only slightly in an axial direction, such that no metallic protrusion is present which will protrude beyond the cylindrical wall  36  of the pot-shaped support structure. 
         [0040]    By means of the screw  83 , it is possible to create a defined resistance on the support structure  30  via the claw-like clamping bodies  80 . When the screw  83  is in a loosened state, the support structure  30  can be rotated in the cylindrical shaped housing relatively easily. In this case only the resistance formed by the O-ring and the negligible friction forces counteract the rotation. However, it should be noted that the O-ring resistance provides a certain rotational inhibition, which will facilitate an adjustment with regard to an angle, as will be described in detail later. 
         [0041]    As soon as the desired orientation has been achieved and of course with prior mounting of a corresponding radiator, the screw  83  can be tensioned or tightened, in order to effect a tensioning in an axial direction of the support structure, such that the protruding edge  34  of the support structure  30  can enter into frictional engagement with the groove  14   a  of the bracket ring  14 . 
         [0042]    In  FIGS. 2 and 3  the support structure  30  with two spacers and the radiator receiving means  64  is shown in greater detail in two different perspective views. In  FIG. 2  the pot-shaped configuration of the support structure  30  can be seen clearly, which defines an internal volume  38  in which a cylindrical wall  36  protrudes in an axial direction from the disk-shaped base body  32  of the support structure  30 . The cylindrical wall  36  in the depicted embodiment has an axial extension of λ/10, this value has turned out to be particularly advantageous, since the surface currents thus remain on the inside of the pot and do not pass to the outside of the support structure. This passage to the outside would have substantial disadvantages with reference to the intermodulation safety of the complete antenna structure. Peripherally, the protruding edge  34  is provided in addition, which protrudes radially beyond the cylindrical wall  36 , protruding in particular in such a fashion that a counter-bearing arrangement is permitted with the bracket ring  14  shown in  FIG. 1 , in particular with the groove  14   a  formed therein. In the cylindrical wall in addition an O-ring  48  is provided in a corresponding groove, such that the support structure  30  can be introduced in a cylindrical opening in the fashion of a plug. The O-ring can advantageously be equipped with a PTFE coating, in order to facilitate sliding upon rotation. On the inside of the support structure element a spacer  62  is provided on the distal end of which the radiator receiving means  64  is disposed in turn. At the upper end of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  a further spacer  66  is provided, which is equipped with support tabs  68 , in order to provide a spider-like configuration which permits holding also the distal end of the radiator holding means  64  centered in the cylindrical housing. 
         [0043]    It can be seen clearly in  FIG. 3  that two receiving openings  44  are provided in the support structure, in order to receive the corresponding connectors mentioned above. The connectors can then be coupled to the radiator element to be mounted and serve for connecting the telecommunications antenna externally. It is further shown that the screw  43  is provided in a hexagonal configuration  42 , which being provided substantially in the center is provided as a rotation aid. On the basis of the hexagonal configuration, the angular position of the support structure can be adjusted easily by means of a wrench. Finally, a pressure-responsive element  46  is illustrated, which can provide pressure compensation in the completely mounted telecommunications antenna in the otherwise sealed telecommunications antenna. The pressure-responsive element  46  can also be used for checking the sealing state of the telecommunications antenna by applying for example overpressure or a vacuum. 
         [0044]    In the  FIGS. 4 and 5  the clamping element of plastic is designated  80  (having the claw-like shape as indicated in  FIG. 1 ) and is reproduced in two different perspective views. A through bore  82  provided with a countersunk edge can be seen clearly, through which the screw  83  can be screwed into the housing bracket. It should be noted here that also different fasteners, such as e.g. a quick release, can be used. Further, it can be seen clearly that the clamping element or the clamping body of plastic is of substantially claw-like configuration, having two legs  84  and  86  which extend substantially in a semicircle and at their ends are equipped with biasing protrusions  88   a  and  88   b  (exemplarily protruding by 0.6 mm with reference to the abutment surface adjacent to the through bore). Further, it can be seen that on the lower side of the clamping body in the area of the basis, from which the legs extend, a further biasing knob  89  is provided in addition (exemplarily protruding by 0.2 mm with reference to the abutment surface adjacent to the through bore), such that in the embodiment shown here a tensioning of the support structure is permitted in three points at correspondingly 0 degrees and +/−90 degrees. It can further be seen in  FIG. 5  that the base section of the claw-like shape with the reference numeral  85  has a configuration which permits guidance in axial direction. 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 6  the bracket is shown in detail, with a pot-shaped support structure  30  arranged in the bracket ring  14 . The support structure  30  is tensional by the claw-like clamping bracket (clamping body/element) described above. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  a securing device is additionally indicated by reference numeral  81 , which can be provided for example by means of a wire or a string, connected to the clamping body  80  on the one hand and the bracket  16  on the other hand. 
         [0046]    In the  FIGS. 7 to 11  now a finished, mounted telecommunications antenna is shows as an embodiment of the invention. Many of the elements illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 6  can be found in the  FIGS. 7 to 11  and will not be described again here in detail. Additionally, there is now shown one radiator, indicated by the reference numeral  70 , as well as two end covers (provided at the corresponding distal ends)  18 , which can be fixed by means of corresponding screws  19 . 
         [0047]    As can be seen from the figures, in the embodiment depicted here with two radiators  70 , the two radiators  70  can be rotated independently of each other with reference to the center axis of the cylindrical body through the support structure  30  being rotatable with reference to the bracket ring  14 . In a corresponding vertical arrangement of the telecommunications antenna consequently different angular ranges can be covered, such that for example a micro-cell structure can be achieved easily, in that the telecommunications antenna, arranged for example at the junction of two streets, can be oriented correspondingly in order to be able to supply one street section each with mobile communication signals. In a horizontal mounting of a corresponding telecommunications antenna, for example, one radiator could be directed obliquely downwardly, in order for example to supply the lower floors of a building opposite, while the other radiator, could be directed obliquely upwardly, could for example supply the upper floors. It can be seen that the adjustment possibilities of the telecommunications antenna according to the invention are very high. The adaptation can take place easily by bringing the support structure  30  out of frictional engagement with the housing, in particular with a surface of the groove  14   a  of the bracket ring  14 , in order to permit a change of orientation, after which by a renewed tightening of the corresponding fasteners or screws, the frictional engagement is restored, in order to provide for locking against rotation. 
         [0048]    Here, an indexing or an angular marking system can be expedient in order to be able, for example, to adjust to predetermined angles easily, which are specified by, for example, the network planner. The telecommunications antenna is then installed by the electrician in each case at the predetermined angle in the place of installation at a defined height and at a certain house wall of the house. The floor plans of the houses have fixed coordinates on the basis of which the network planner can orient (plan) the telecommunications antenna and provide the electrician with the information (e.g. radiator 1 place at −45° and radiator 2 place +45°. 
         [0049]    Although the present invention was described above completely with reference to currently preferred embodiments, the person skilled in the art should recognize that various changes and modifications are possible within the framework of the claims without deviating from the basic idea of the invention. Although the telecommunications antenna was described above as having two independently rotatable support structures and associated radiators, it can be seen that it is likewise possible to provide the telecommunications antenna with a total of only one radiator, which could then optionally be connected to an upper support structure, a lower support structure or possibly also with both support structures. For the case that merely one radiator is provided which would be connected to both structures, it would have to be ensured that no frictional engagement exists at the two distal ends, in order to provide for a corresponding change of orientation. It should also be mentioned that in the embodiment with two independent radiators, it is also possible to provide respectively a multiplicity of radiators on the corresponding upper or lower support structure, in order to permit for example providing different frequency ranges upon corresponding geometric orientation. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
       [0000]    
       
           12  radome 
           14  bracket ring 
           14   a  groove of the bracket ring 
           16  wall bracket section 
           18  end cover 
           19  end cover screw 
           30  support structure 
           32  disk- or plate-shaped support structure section 
           34  protruding edge of the support structure 
           36  cylindrical wall of the support structure 
           38  internal volume of the support structure 
           42  rotation aid 
           43  spacer fixing screw 
           44  connector openings 
           46  pressure-responsive element 
         O-ring 
           62  spacer 
           64  radiator receiving means 
           66  radial spacer 
           68  support element of the spacer 
           70  radiator element 
           72  connector sockets 
           80  electromagnetically non-conductive body (clamping body) 
           82  bore 
           84  first leg 
           85  axial guide 
           86  second leg 
           88   a,    88   b  biasing protrusions 
           89  center biasing protrusions