Abstract:
A system for slidable connection of a satellite antenna to a mobile radio comprising: the satellite antenna including a satellite antenna element and at least one antenna contact coupled thereto; and at least one slide strip, slidably coupled with the at least one antenna contact when the antenna is in a plurality of retracted positions, the at least one slide strip being coupled to a transceiver in the mobile radio and conducting radio-frequency signals to maintain communication with the mobile radio. A method for slidable connection of an antenna to a mobile radio comprising the steps of: providing a satellite antenna and at least one antenna contact coupled thereto; providing at least one slide strip coupled to a transceiver and configured to be slidably coupleable with the at least one antenna contact; sliding the satellite antenna into a plurality of retracted positions and connecting the at least one antenna contact with the at least one slide strip, wherein the satellite antenna maintains a connection to the transceiver while sliding through the plurality of retracted positions.

Description:
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/089,074, filed Jun. 12, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a low-loss slidable connection of an antenna and more particularly to a low-loss slidable connection of a satellite antenna to a satellite mobile radio. Even more particularly, the invention relates to a low-loss slidable connection for a satellite antenna wherein a satellite telephone maintains communication as the satellite antenna slides through a continuum of positions. 
     The ability to maintain low-loss communication at all times while a satellite antenna is moved throughout a continuum of positions is important to quick and efficient use of a satellite mobile radio (or satellite telephone), or other mobile radio. If communication is degraded heavily during repositioning of the satellite antenna, communication between the satellite telephone and a satellite station or base station may be lost completely requiring a caller to reinitiate a telephone call. Such degraded performance or a design causing disconnection of the satellite antenna during repositioning is clearly problematic and inefficient. 
     There is a current need in the industry of antenna design for an improved design for a continuously low-loss connection with a satellite antenna. Solutions developed for connecting cellular antennas cannot be used as they are far too lossy for satellite applications. 
     Non-satellite antennas, such as conventional cellular antennas generally have a simpler structure than do conventional satellite antennas. A typical cellular antenna consists of a linear conductive member. Thus, connecting a simple antenna such as a cellular antenna through a slidable connection does not present as many challenges as does connecting a satellite antenna thereto. The reason for this is the complexity of the satellite antenna. 
     A conventional satellite antenna consists of more than just one wire. For example, a quadrafiler helix (QFH) satellite antenna consists of pairs of conductive windings around a cylindrical shell in a helix geometry. Because the satellite antenna is a bundle of wires wound in a helix (with each wire or group of wires requiring a separate connection) rather than a single conductive member, a single sliding connection cannot be effected as in a cellular environment. 
     For example, in the case of four (4) pairs of wires wound into a helix spiraling around the cylindrical shell of the antenna, a connection must be made to all of four (4) pairs of helix-wound wires. So, as the satellite antenna slides the connection must be made with specific varying points on the Quadrafiler Helix (QFH) satellite antenna. That is, four (4) such pairs of helix-wound wires create eight (8) windings all at different locations of the cylindrical shell at any given length of the satellite antenna. 
     Therefore, the satellite antenna cannot connect slidably in the satellite telephone as does a cellular antenna in a cellular telephone, and a different solution must be achieved. The problem is thus to make an low-loss electrical connection to a static mobile radio with a sliding antenna, whether the sliding antenna be a cellular antenna, a satellite antenna, or some combination of both. 
     This problem is also especially peculiar to satellite antennas because a satellite communication system can tolerate a lesser amount of signal losses than a cellular communication system can tolerate. A high-loss system is particularly problematic in satellite telephones because of a limited loss budget. In order to make up this loss on the satellite side, e.g., by building a more sophisticated satellite, extremely high costs would be involved. 
     The applicants are currently unaware of any prior art to the slidable connection taught herein by the Applicants. The applicants are also unaware of any publically available designs or mobile radio products achieving a near loss-less slidable connection to a satellite antenna. 
     However, an alternate, less effective, method of achieving the near loss-less slidable connection by a mobile radio to the satellite antenna is currently under development by the Applicants using cables attached to a single basal connection point on the satellite antenna for the pairs of helix-wound wires. A cable is connected at one end to each of the basal connection points and at another end to a printed circuit board of the satellite telephone. Such a prototype handset, under development by Hughes Network Systems (HNS) is called “Thuraya” and has not yet been publically exploited. 
     Though the use of cables in a slidable connection for the satellite antenna is mechanically reliable, it is inherently clumsy, difficult and expensive to manufacture or repair because of costs and time involved with manual assembly. There are many costs involved with manually assembling the cables into the satellite telephone. Additionally, a cabled connection is not easily disconnected to enable re-connection of the satellite telephone to another antenna system. 
     More losses are also inherent in the use of the cable as compared to the instant invention, and increase with the length of the cable. In general, an embodiment of the instant invention would likely achieve a 0.2 dB to 0.3 dB increase in performance over the use of cables for the slidable connection. 
     Another way to achieve more than one position in connecting the satellite antenna to the transceiver is to set two satellite antenna positions via a swivel antenna using a shoulder joint. Unfortunately, this does not solve the problem of maintaining a continuous connection while sliding the satellite antenna from a retracted to an extended position. 
     The present invention advantageously addresses the above and other needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention advantageously addresses the needs above as well as other needs by providing a low-loss slidable connection of an antenna to a mobile radio. 
     In one embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a system for connection of an antenna to a mobile radio. The system comprises: an antenna element and at least one antenna contact at a basal end thereof; and at least one slide strip, slidably coupled with the at least one antenna contact when the antenna assembly is in a plurality of retracted positions, the at least one slide strip being coupled to a transceiver in the mobile radio and conducting radio-frequency signals to maintain communication with the mobile radio. 
     In a variation, a method for slidable connection of an antenna to a mobile radio comprises the steps of: providing an antenna element and at least one antenna contact at a basal end thereof; providing at least one slide strip coupled to a transceiver and configured to be slidably coupleable with the at least one antenna contact; sliding the antenna element into a plurality of retracted positions and connecting the at least one antenna contact with the at least one slide strip, wherein the antenna element maintains a connection to the transceiver while sliding through the plurality of retracted positions. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a satellite mobile radio (or satellite telephone); 
     FIG. 2A is a front view of a satellite antenna, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, in an extended position as it would appear during normal use; 
     FIG. 2B is a front view of a satellite antenna, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, in one of a continuum of retracted positions, such as it would appear during standby; 
     FIG. 2C is a front view of a satellite antenna, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, illustrating two possible placements for disconnection of the satellite antenna as it would appear during docking; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a satellite antenna in alignment with a polyamide body such as may be used in the embodiments of FIGS. 1, and  2 A-C; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the satellite antenna of FIG. 3, illustrating how several layers of the satellite antenna fit together: a cellular antenna element, a satellite antenna element, an antenna radome, and an antenna cap; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the polyamide body of FIG. 3 with a conductive stip and insulator as the polyamide body appears in contact with an antenna contact of the satellite antenna of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a sliding antenna, such as shown by FIG. 4, three switches, three sliding contacts and a phasing and impedance matching circuit board on the sliding antenna; 
     FIG. 6B is a perspective view of another embodiment of a sliding antenna of FIG. 4 wherein a phasing and impedance matching circuit board is placed in contact with three switches; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sliding antenna of FIG. 6A, integrated into the satellite telephone of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8A is a side view of a mobile radio such as is shown in FIG. 1 being docked into a docking adaptor wherein a cam feature in the docking adaptor matches with a cam notch on an antenna of the mobile radio (or satellite telephone) to slide the antenna into a docking position; and 
     FIG. 8B is a side view of the mobile radio (or satellite telephone) of FIG. 1 fully docked in the docking adaptor of FIG.  8 A and connected to an extravehicular antenna. 
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of the presently contemplated best mode of practicing the invention is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims. 
     Referring first to FIG. 1, a perspective view of one embodiment of a mobile radio  100  (or “satellite telephone”  100 ) is shown that can maintain continuous communication through a slidable connection between a satellite antenna and a transceiver. The satellite telephone  100  further comprises a telephone housing  102  through which an antenna cap  104  protrudes. 
     The satellite telephone  100  has three modes of operation which are illustrated by FIGS. 2A-C. 
     Referring next to FIG. 2A, in one mode of operation, an extended satellite antenna  202  is connected directly through an antenna contact  204  and a switch  208  to a transceiver  218 , thus controlling signal losses by minimizing any additional signal losses that could occur from connection to unnecessary hardware. In another mode of operation a retracted satellite antenna  200 ′ shown in FIG. 2B is connected through, not only an antenna contact  204 ′ and a switch  208 ′, but also through a slide strip  212 ′ which is designed to minimize signal losses through the slide strip  212 ′ as the antenna contact  204 ′ assumes various continuous positions along the length of the slide strip  212 ′. In yet another mode of operation shown in FIG. 2C a docked satellite antenna  200 ″ is docked in or more positions to disconnect the docked satellite antenna  202 ″ from a transceiver  218 ″ so that the transceiver  218 ″ is free to connect to an extravehicular antenna  230 ″, if desired, without electrical connection to unnecessary hardware, i.e., the slide strip  212 ′ and switch  208 ′. These modes of operations of the satellite telephone  100 , FIGS. 2A-C, are described below. 
     Referring again to FIG. 2A, a side view is shown of the mobile radio  200  (or satellite telephone  200 ) of FIG. 1, as it would appear in an extended position, (or extended mode of operation). The satellite telephone  200  comprises the satellite antenna  202 ; the antenna contact coupled thereto; a slide strip  212  comprising a conductor  214  wrapped around an insulator; the switch  208  in an open position; and the transceiver (or “radio frequency (RF) circuit”)  218 . 
     The antenna contact  204  is at a basal end of the satellite antenna  202  and has a protruding section  206  that switchably couples with a protrusion  210  of the switch  208  facing the protruding section  206  of the antenna contact  204  when the extended satellite antenna  202  is in the extended position. An end portion of the switch  208  is (either fixedly or switchably) coupled to the transceiver, or radio frequency (RF) circuit  218 . In such a configuration, the satellite antenna  202  is coupled to the transceiver  218  while also being disconnected from the slide strip  212  in order to minimize additional losses due to signal propagation through the slide strip  212 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 2B, a side view is shown of the satellite telephone  200  as it would appear in, for example, one of a continuum of retracted positions. The satellite telephone  200  comprises an antenna contact  204 ′ at a basal end of a satellite antenna  202 ′; a slide strip  212 ′ further comprising a conductor  214 ′ wrapped around an insulator  216 ′; a switch  208 ′ with a protrusion  210 ′; and a transceiver (or radio frequency (RF) circuit)  218 ′. 
     The switch  208 ′ is switchably coupled at an end to the slide strip  212 ′ when the satellite antenna  202 ′ is in one of the continuum of retracted positions. The switch  208 ′ is (fixedly or switchably) coupled at another end to the transceiver  218 ′. 
     When the satellite antenna  202 ′ is moved from the extended position as shown by FIG. 2A to one of the continuum of retracted positions, the antenna contact  204 ′ decouples from the protrusion  210 ′ of the switch  208 ′ and couples with the slide strip  212 ′ instead. This decoupling and coupling can occur swiftly or simultaneously depending on a design of the satellite telephone  100 . 
     Alternatively, when the satellite antenna  202 ′ slides from one retracted position to another retracted position, the switch  208 ′ stays coupled to the slide strip  212 ′ and the antenna contact  204 ′ stays coupled to the slide strip  212 ′, thus maintaining electrical connection between the satellite antenna  202 ′ and the transceiver  218 ′. 
     Referring next to FIG. 2C, a side view of the satellite telephone  100  as it would appear in two of several possible selected docked positions is shown. 
     The satellite telephone  100  comprises an antenna contact  204 ″ at a basal end of a satellite antenna  202 ″; a slide strip  212 ″ comprising a conductor  214 ″ wrapped around an insulator  216 ″, and an insulator portion  220 ″ within the conductor  214 ″; a switch  208 ″; and a transceiver  218 ″. 
     In one docked position, the satellite antenna  202  is in an intermediate docking position  232 ″ wherein an antenna contact  204 ″ meets the insulator portion  220 ″ of the slide strip  212 ″. In an alternate docking position  234 ″, the satellite antenna  202 ″ is in a position past a bottom of the slide strip  212 ″. 
     In one embodiment, irrespective of where the satellite antenna  202 ″ is docked, the switch  208 ″ remains switchably coupled at an end to the slide strip  212 ″ when the satellite antenna  202 ″ is docked. However, the slide strip  202 ″ is decoupled from the antenna contact  204 ″ when the satellite antenna  202 ″ is docked. 
     In another variation, a docking adaptor  222 ″ is used to dock the satellite antenna  202 ″ using a cam feature  226 ″ of the docking adaptor  222 ″ fitting into a cam notch  228 ″ of the satellite antenna  202 ″. The docking adapter  222 ″ and method for docking therewith is described in detail herein below in reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. 
     In summary, the docking adaptor  222 ″ is at one end electrically coupled via a docking interface  224 ″ to the transceiver  218 ″ of the satellite telephone  100  and at another end electrically coupled to an extravehicular antenna  230 ″ via an extravehicular interface  236 ″, thereby coupling the transceiver  218 ″ to the extravehicular antenna  230 ″ while the docked satellite antenna  202 ″ is disconnected from the transceiver  218 ″. In such a mode, the transceiver  218 ″ may be used with the extravehicular antenna  230 ″ quite efficiently. 
     Referring next to FIG. 3, a perspective view of a strip subassembly  324  is shown in configuration with a satellite antenna  300 . The satellite antenna  300  comprises an antenna radome  302 ; an antenna cap  304 ; a cam notch  306  between the antenna cap  304  and the antenna radome  302 ; and three (3) antenna contacts  308  at a basal end of the satellite antenna  300 . 
     The stip subassembly  324  is composed of three (3) conductive strips  330 ,  332 ,  334  wrapped around an insulator  326 . The conductive strips  330 ,  332 ,  334  are made of nickel (Ni) in accordance with one embodiment. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a length of the conductive strips  330 ,  332 ,  334  are selected to minimize losses due to reflective radio frequency energy caused by mismatch at a connection of the antenna contacts  308  to the conductive strips  330 ,  332 ,  334 . In this case, the length (or electrical path) of the conductive strips is an integer number of half wavelengths, so that an open circuit is presented at the protruding section  206 ′. 
     In another embodiment (shown later in FIG. 5) the conductive strips  330 ,  332 ,  334  are composed of nickel (Ni) and a gold (Au) coating (shown in FIG. 5) is placed over the conductive strips  330 ,  332 ,  334 . In yet another embodiment (not shown) a gold (Au) coating is placed only over selected portions (not shown) of the conductive strips  330 ,  332 ,  334  to increase conductivity at the selected portions. The selected portions can be arbitrary or strategically selected in accordance with principals of antenna design known by a skilled artisan in the field of antenna design. 
     A cross section of the strip subassembly  324  is later shown in FIG.  5 . Three (3) switches  316  are shown in FIG. 3 as they couple to the three (3) conductive strips  328 . 
     Three switches  316  comprise a ground switch  322 , a cellular switch  320  and a satellite switch  318 . The three conductive strips  328  comprise a ground strip  334 ; a cellular strip  332  and a satellite strip  330 . The three antenna contacts  308  similarly comprise a ground contact  314 ; a cellular contact  312 ; and a satellite contact  310 . 
     The ground contact  314  connects the ground strip  334  to a ground (not shown); the cellular contact  312  connects the cellular antenna (inside the radome, not shown) to the cellular strip  332 ; and the satellite contact  310  connects the satellite antenna (inside the radome, not shown) to the satellite strip  330 . The three switches  316  move in unison depending upon their contact with the three antenna contacts  308 , to either connect or disconnect the three switches  316  from the three conductive strips  328 , and to connect or disconnect the three switches  316  from the three antenna contacts  308 , as previously shown by FIGS. 2A-C. 
     The strip subassembly  324 , switches  316  and the satellite antenna  300  are shown in greater detail in the following figures and accompanying descriptions thereof. 
     Referring next to FIG. 4, an exploded perspective view is shown of one embodiment of the satellite antenna  300  of FIG. 3 which could be used with the satellite telephone  100  of FIG.  1 . 
     The satellite antenna  300  also comprises four distinct removable elements: a cellular antenna element  408 ; a satellite antenna element  400 ; an antenna radome  428 ; and an antenna cap  436 . 
     The satellite antenna element  400  is a Quadrafiler Helix (QFH) antenna which comprises a satellite shell  402  of cylindrical shape having a diameter D and four (4) pairs of helix-wound wires  404  wrapped around the satellite shell  402  to compose a Quadrafiler Helix (QFH) antenna which is the satellite antenna element  408 . The four (4) pairs of helix-wound wires  404  meet at a basal end of the satellite shell  402  to form four (4) Quadrafiler Helix contact points (or “satellite wires”)  406 , one wire for each pair. 
     The cellular antenna element  408  further comprises: a cellular shell  410  of a diameter D 2 ; a cellular antenna cable  414 ; a cellular coil  412 ; and a phasing/impedance matching circuit (“matching circuit”)  418  on a printed circuit board (PCB)  416 . 
     The cellular shell  410  has a slightly smaller diameter D 2  than does the satellite shell  402 . The cellular shell  410  of diameter D 2  surrounds the cellular antenna cable  414  that passes through an aperture formed within the cellular shell  410  along an axis of the cellular shell  410 . One end of the cellular antenna cable  414  comprises a cellular coil  412  that extends past the cellular shell  410 . The matching circuit  418  has a cellular input  422 , four satellite inputs  420  (one for each pair of helix-wound satellite wires), and a ground input  424 . 
     A basal end of the cellular antenna cable  414  comprises a cellular wire (shown in a later figure) coupled to the cellular input  422  of the matching circuit  418 . The four (4) helix-wound satellite wires  404  are also coupled to the four (4) satellite inputs  420  of the matching circuit  418 . The ground (not shown) is also coupled at the ground input  424  of the matching circuit. 
     The Printed Circuit Board (PCB)  416  containing the matching circuit also holds the three (3) antenna contacts  426  on one surface. The antenna contacts  426  may be spring contacts. The PCB  416  extends past the basal end of the cellular shell  410  and protrudes from the antenna radome  428  when integrated. 
     The cellular antenna element  408  fits inside the satellite antenna element  400  in a close concentric stacking arrangement. The satellite antenna element  400  can be integrated with the cellular antenna element  408  by fitting the basal end of the satellite antenna element  400  over a top end of the cellular shell  410  since the diameter D of the satellite shell  410  is slightly larger than the diameter D 2  of the cellular shell  410 . 
     The antenna radome  428  is an outer cylindrical shell fitting over the satellite shell  402 . The antenna radome  428  has a diameter D 3  slightly larger than the diameter of the satellite shell  402 , D. The antenna radome  428  further comprises a radome neck  430  at one end of the antenna radome  428  and a contact fitting  438  at a basal end thereof. The radome neck  430  further comprises a raised annular feature  434 . 
     The antenna cap  436  is flexible and can grasp the raised annular feature  434  on the radome neck  430  to secure the antenna cap  436  to the antenna radome  428 . 
     The antenna cap  436  can be snapped onto the raised annular feature  434  as well. Once the antenna cap  436  is placed over the radome neck  430 , a cam notch  432  is exposed between the antenna cap  436  and the antenna radome  428 . The purpose of the cam notch  432  will be explained later herein in connection with a docking adapter described in reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. The contact fitting  438  is also coupled at a basal end of the antenna radome  428 , through which the antenna contacts  426  may protrude. 
     In practice, to integrate the antenna radome  428  with the satellite shell  402  and the cellular shell  410 , the satellite shell  402  and the cellular shell  410  are first stacked (as “stacked shells”), and the stacked shells are slipped through the basal end of the antenna radome  428  until the cellular coil  412  protrudes into the radome neck  430 . When integrated, the three (3) contacts  426  on the PCB protrude through three apertures  440  in the contact fitting  438  on the antenna radome  428 . 
     When the stacked shells are integrated into the antenna radome  428 , the cellular antenna element  408  receives and radiates radio frequency (RF) signals through the cellular coil  412 , and the satellite antenna element  408  receives and radiates (RF) signals through the pairs of helix-wound wires  404 . The satellite antenna element  400  and the cellular antenna element  408  do not interfere with each other in this configuration, electrically or magnetically (i.e., with EMI). 
     The matching circuit  418  operates by transforming the four (4) satellite inputs  420 , the ground input  424  and the cellular input  422  into, respectively, a matched satellite output, a matched ground output and a matched cellular output which is transmitted through the antenna contacts  426  to the transceiver  218 ′ in a manner described and shown by FIGS. 2A-C. 
     Referring next to FIG. 5, a cross section through a strip subassembly  500 , such as shown by FIG. 3, coupled to an antenna contact  508  is shown demonstrating several layers of materials used in one embodiment. 
     The strip subassembly  500  comprises an insulator  502  of rectilinear dimensions wherein a length is longer than a width. The insulator  502  is a polyamide body, or a polyamide. A polyamide is a compound containing one or more amide radicals or polymer amides. 
     A conductive strip  504  of nickel (Ni) is deposited over the insulator  502 . A gold (Au) coating  506  is deposited over the conductive strip  504  to enhance conductivity of signals passing through the strip subassembly  500 . The gold (Au) coating  506  may be placed over the entire length of the conductive strip  504 , or it may be placed at selected locations, either arbitrary or strategically selected under known principals of antenna design. A skilled artisan will recognize that gold may be replaced by several other conductive metals to obtain a similar result. 
     The antenna contact  508  comprises a nickel (Ni) contact  510  that has a contact gold (Au) coating  512  and is attached to a phasing/impedance matching circuit (matching circuit)  514 . The nickel (Ni) contact  510  has a protruding section  516  to touch the gold (Au) coating  506  at one or more points thereon. The gold-to-gold contact resulting therefrom results in higher conductivity of the signals passing from the nickel (Ni) contact  510  to the strip subassembly  500 . 
     Referring next to FIG. 6A, a perspective view is shown of one embodiment of a sliding antenna  600  design integrated with three (3) slide strips  602 , three (3) antenna contacts  610  and three (3) switches  618 , wherein a phasing/impedance matching circuit (matching circuit)  628  is placed before the slide strips  602 , i.e., moves with the sliding antenna  600 . 
     The three (3) slide strips  602 , such as shown and described already by FIG. 3, are shown configured as they would appear when the satellite antenna  100  is in an extended position such as shown by FIG.  2 A. The three (3) slide strips  602  correspond respectively (as shown also by FIG. 3) to a ground strip  608 , a cellular strip  606  and a satellite strip  604 . Three corresponding antenna contacts  610  also comprise a ground contact  616 , a cellular contact  614 , and a satellite contact  612 . 
     The three antenna contacts  610  are switchably coupled, depending on a mode of the satellite antenna  300 , to three (3) switches  618  that comprise a ground switch  624 , a cellular switch  622 , and a satellite switch  620 . The three switches  610  disengage from the three slide strips  602  when a protrusion  625  in each of the switches  618  meets with a protruding section  626  of each respective protruding section  626  of each of the antenna contacts  610  and rotates each of the switches  618  away from each of the three slide strips  602 . 
     Alternately, in a retracted position, each of the antenna contacts  610  is in contact with respective slide strips  602  and each of the switches  618  is not rotated away from each of the slide strips  602 , but rather is in contact therewith. 
     The phasing/impedance matching circuit (“matching circuit”)  628  is placed between the satellite antenna  100  and the antenna contacts  610 . The matching circuit  628  is on a printed circuit board (PCB) and has four (4) satellite inputs  630 , a ground input  634  and a cellular input  632 . The satellite antenna has four (4) satellite wires  636  connecting to the four (4) satellite inputs  630 , a cellular wire  638  fitting to the cellular input  632  and a ground fitting  640  to the ground input  634 . The matching circuit  628  returns a matched satellite output, a matched cellular output and a matched ground output to the three antenna contacts  610  through, respectively, a satellite output  642 , a cellular output  644 , and a ground output  646 . 
     FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an analogous sliding antenna design to FIG. 6A, except that a phasing/impedance matching circuit (“matching circuit”)  628 ′ is placed after three (3) switches  618 ′, i.e., the phasing/impedance matching circuit  628 ′ remains stationary, with the satellite telephone housing. A skilled artisan will recognize many other conceivable placements of the matching circuit  628 ′ achieving a similar result. In all cases a plurality of satellite inputs are reduced into one (1) satellite input also reducing respective communication lines thereafter. 
     The matching circuit  628 ′ comprises a ground input  634 ′, two satellite inputs  630 ′,  632 ′, a ground output  646 ′, and a satellite output  642 ′. The matching circuit  628 ′ receives the two (2) satellite inputs  630 ′,  632 ′ and the ground input  634 ′ and returns matched satellite signals and a matched ground signal via the satellite output  646 ′ and the ground output  642 ′. Also, similarly, the three switches  618 ′ comprise a ground switch  624 ′ and two (2) satellite switches  620 ′,  622 ′ that are aligned with the ground input  634 ′ and the two (2) satellite inputs  632 ′,  630 ′. 
     Similarly, the three slide strips  602 ′ correspond to a ground strip  608 ′ and two (2) satellite strips  606 ′,  604 ′ and are aligned at one end with the ground switch  624 ′ and the two (2) satellite switches  620 ′,  622 ′; and aligned at another end with a ground contact  616 ′ and two (2) satellite contacts  614 ′,  612 ′. The ground contact  616 ′ is aligned with a ground  640  while the satellite contacts are aligned with the two (2) satellite wires  636 ′. 
     Referring next to FIG. 7, a perspective view is shown of the satellite antenna  300  shown in FIG. 6A, when the satellite antenna is in a retracted position. The satellite antenna  300  is configured with three slide strips  702 , three antenna contacts  704  and three switches  706 , wherein a phasing/matching circuit (“matching circuit”)  708  on a printed circuit board (not shown) is placed in connection with the three antenna contacts  704  as in FIG.  6 A. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the mobile radio or satellite telephone  100  may also be used in conjunction with an extravehicular antenna, by employing a docking adaptor such as demonstrated by FIG. 2C, schematically. 
     Either the intermediate docking position or the alternate docking position shown in FIG. 2C can be achieved by using a docking adaptor. 
     Referring next to FIG. 8A, the satellite telephone  100  is shown as it is placed into the docking adaptor  800  by lining up a cam feature  802  on the docking adaptor  800  with a cam notch  804  on the satellite antenna  300 . As the satellite telephone  100  is placed into the docking adaptor  800  the cam notch  804  slides along the cam feature  802  and the satellite antenna  300  slides into one of two docked positions as shown by FIG. 2C, either the intermediate docking position  232 ″, or the alternate docking position  234 ″. An antenna docking connector  806  on a basal interior surface  808  of the docking adaptor  800  is used to connect the satellite telephone  100  to a docking interface  810  which may be electrically connected to an extravehicular antenna  812  for use with the satellite telephone  100 . 
     Referring next to FIG. 8B, a satellite telephone  100  in a final docked position in a docking adaptor  800 ′ is shown. When the satellite telephone  100  is fully inserted into the docking adaptor  800 ′, the satellite antenna  300  is disconnected and the transceiver of the satellite telephone  100  is electrically connected to the docking adaptor  800 ′ through a docking interface  810 ′. The docking adaptor  800 ′ is electrically coupled to an extravehicular antenna  812 ′ which is coupled to the transceiver through the docking adaptor  800 ′. In this manner, the extravehicular antenna  812 ′ may be used with the satellite telephone  100  while the satellite telephone  100  is docked. 
     While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.