The Antenna Podcast

Dermot O'Shea

Love antennas or want to know more about them? Every two weeks we ask an expert from the antenna world to pick and topic and tell us more. If you are also an expert we would love to hear your thoughts or have you on the show! If you are a novice, tune in to get into our community. I founded and run an antenna company and work on many antenna projects with our engineers in Taoglas every day. It fascinates me how many antennas are in our lives and what goes into designing and developing them. 

Episodes

  1. 4D AGO

    Ep 10: Self-Interference in IoT Devices: Why Antenna Performance Isn’t the Root Cause

    In this episode of The Antenna Podcast, Dermot O’Shea speaks with Dr. Peter Nevermann, a wireless industry veteran with extensive experience in antenna design, RF testing, certification, and system performance. Peter shares his journey from semiconductor physics and RF noise research into senior roles at Siemens Mobile Phones, Vodafone Global, and leading test laboratories in Germany and Silicon Valley. A key focus is self-interference and noise management, which Peter explains is often misattributed to the antenna rather than system-level design, placement, and unshielded electronics. The conversation highlights why early RF decisions are critical to successful testing, certification, and deployment. Visit the Website: https://www.theantennapodcast.com Welcome to The Antenna Podcast with Dermot O’Shea, your go-to source for in-depth discussions, expert insights, and cutting-edge developments in the world of antennas and wireless communication.

    28 min

  2. JAN 28

    Ep 9: The Antenna Podcast Ep 9: I Had No Plan - Then the First Million-Dollar Order Arrived

    In this episode, Dermot sits down with Andre Fourie - whose career began with a search for meaningful work and evolved into decades of real-world antenna innovation.  Andre shares the turning points and technical hard lessons behind holistic antenna design, the evolution from academia to product, and what really matters when antennas must perform beyond the lab.  From early research and military projects to building and exporting technology globally, this conversation pulls back the curtain on career risk, engineering intuition, and the ideas that shaped wireless solutions used around the world.  Whether you’re an RF engineer or curious about how deep technical expertise becomes real products, this episode blends story, insight, and practical wisdom. Visit the Website: https://www.theantennapodcast.com Welcome to The Antenna Podcast with Dermot O’Shea, your go-to source for in-depth discussions, expert insights, and cutting-edge developments in the world of antennas and wireless communication.

    31 min

  3. JAN 21

    Ep 8: Hidden in Plain Sight: The Antennas Powering 5G (and Why You Never Notice Them)

    How do you add more spectrum, more bandwidth, and more performance without adding more towers? In this episode of The Antenna Podcast, host Dermot O’Shea sits down with Fergal Lawlor, Founder and CEO of Alpha Wireless, to unpack the hidden engineering behind modern cellular networks. Fergal shares his journey from military radio technician to building a global antenna company, along with stories from designing Olympic stadium antennas to solving some of the toughest challenges in 5G infrastructure. The conversation dives into multi-band base station antenna design, frequency-transparent elements, remote electrical tilt, and why passive intermodulation (PIM) remains one of the most unforgiving problems in RF engineering. Fergal also explains how the industry is densifying networks with “hidden” street-level sites – delivering more capacity without visual clutter. If you’ve ever wondered how mobile networks keep improving without growing more visible, this episode reveals the antenna innovation happening behind the scenes. Visit the Website: https://www.theantennapodcast.com Welcome to The Antenna Podcast with Dermot O’Shea, your go-to source for in-depth discussions, expert insights, and cutting-edge developments in the world of antennas and wireless communication.

    27 min

  4. JAN 16

    Ep 7: Where RF Meets Reality: Antenna Design from Coffee Cups to Massive MIMO

    Antennas are often overlooked—until they fail. In this episode of The Antenna Podcast, host Dermot O’Shea sits down with Ben Culver, CEO of Southwest Antennas, to explore why antenna design is one of the most critical—and misunderstood—elements of any RF system. Ben shares his journey from U.S. Navy fire control electronics to leading a $25M antenna company, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to design antennas that perform in real-world, mission-critical environments. From embedded surveillance antennas hidden in everyday objects to massive, high-performance MIMO arrays mounted on towers, this conversation highlights just how diverse—and complex—modern antenna engineering has become. The discussion also dives into the realities of antenna simulation, why experience still matters more than software alone, and the growing challenge of finding skilled antenna engineers in today’s workforce. Whether you’re an RF engineer, system designer, or simply curious about the technology powering wireless systems, this episode delivers practical insights, war stories, and a fresh appreciation for the antenna’s role where RF and mechanics collide. Visit the Website: https://www.theantennapodcast.com Welcome to The Antenna Podcast with Dermot O’Shea, your go-to source for in-depth discussions, expert insights, and cutting-edge developments in the world of antennas and wireless communication.

    29 min

  5. JAN 12

    Ep 6: Defying Antenna Physics: How Dielectrics Changed Everything

    In this episode of the Antenna Podcast, host Dermot O’Shea speaks with Oliver Leisten, CTO of Helix Geospace, about his journey from GPS pioneer to antenna innovator. Oliver shares how his work with dielectric-loaded antennas transformed performance for satellite and IoT applications, improving efficiency, reducing detuning near the human body, and enabling compact, high-performing designs. He explores the challenges of achieving low gain ripple, the importance of manufacturing precision, and how his technology supports Iridium systems and advanced beamforming arrays. The conversation offers an inspiring look at innovation, persistence, and the future of smarter, more efficient wireless connectivity. Visit the Website: https://www.theantennapodcast.com Welcome to The Antenna Podcast with Dermot O’Shea, your go-to source for in-depth discussions, expert insights, and cutting-edge developments in the world of antennas and wireless communication.

    32 min

  6. JAN 9

    Ep 5: The Wireless Revolution: How MIMO Supercharged Global Connectivity

    This episode pulls back the curtain on the wireless technology that powers everything around us. From Wi-Fi and 5G to long-range links connecting entire communities. In this Episode Dermot chats with Dr. John Sanford, Professor of Practice at UC San Diego where he dives into the breakthroughs that changed the industry: how MIMO went from a wild academic idea to a capacity-boosting superpower, how multipath (normally a problem) became a tool to create 12 independent channels at once, and why smart antenna design can make or break real-world performance. You’ll hear stories from the front lines of antenna innovation, including the creation of ultra-low-cost wireless systems deployed by the thousands, and a glimpse into the future with optical phased arrays and liquid-crystal reflector technology that could rewrite what’s possible in high-frequency communications. If you’ve ever wondered how wireless links get faster, smarter, and more reliable year after year or what the next wave of antenna tech looks like then this episode is a must-listen. Visit the Website: https://www.theantennapodcast.com Welcome to The Antenna Podcast with Dermot O’Shea, your go-to source for in-depth discussions, expert insights, and cutting-edge developments in the world of antennas and wireless communication.

    37 min

  7. JAN 7

    Ep 4: Beyond the Lab: Why Your Antenna Works on Paper but Fails in the Field

    Why does your antenna design pass every simulation—but fall apart when the device powers on? In this episode, Dermot O’Shea chats with Dr. Argy Petros, VP of Engineering at Taoglas, about bridging the brutal gap between theory and practice in RF design. From his early work at Motorola and XM Satellite Radio to launching his own antenna business, Argy shares lessons learned over decades of designing antennas that actually perform in the wild. They cover efficiency vs. gain, the dangers of ignoring real-world interference, and why black magic and persistence still matter. If you’re building wireless products—or just want to understand what’s really happening inside that low-profile 5G antenna—this one’s essential listening. Visit the Website https://www.theantennapodcast.com Welcome to The Antenna Podcast with Dermot O’Shea, your go-to source for in-depth discussions, expert insights, and cutting-edge developments in the world of antennas and wireless communication.

    30 min

  8. JAN 2

    Ep 3: Submarines, SAR, and the Sexy Side of RF

    What do submarines, smartphones, and vending machines have in common? Antennas – and according to Olivier Robin, they can be pretty damn sexy. In this episode, Olivier, CEO at Taoglas, joins Dermot O’Shea to share how storytelling, creativity, and design flair turn invisible tech into unforgettable products. From his early days working on French Navy submarines to optimizing antennas for today’s toughest RF environments, Olivier reveals why theory alone won’t cut it and how blending mechanical smarts with RF experience is the real secret sauce. Packed with insights for engineers, designers, and anyone obsessed with connectivity. Visit the Website https://www.theantennapodcast.com Welcome to The Antenna Podcast with Dermot O’Shea, your go-to source for in-depth discussions, expert insights, and cutting-edge developments in the world of antennas and wireless communication.

    33 min

  9. 12/15/2025

    Ep 2: Antenna Engineering at 100,000 Feet: What Really Happens Up There

    In this episode, Professor Satish K. Sharma of San Diego State University shares his remarkable journey from adjusting rooftop TV antennas in India to designing advanced RF systems for NASA, defense agencies, and next-generation wireless networks. He discusses his most memorable antenna projects including high-altitude balloon missions, phased-array innovations, and space-qualified antenna designs, while breaking down what makes beam-steering technology so transformative. Prof. Sharma also talks about the future of antenna engineering, the skills students need, and why demand for RF expertise continues to explode across aerospace, defense, and 5G applications. Visit the Website https://www.theantennapodcast.com Welcome to The Antenna Podcast with Dermot O’Shea, your go-to source for in-depth discussions, expert insights, and cutting-edge developments in the world of antennas and wireless communication.

    29 min

  10. 12/01/2025

    Ep 1: Black Magic & Solid Gold: Inside the World of Antenna Engineering

    Why do engineers call antenna design “black magic”? Because getting wireless right is harder than it looks. In this episode, Dermot O’Shea talks with Baha Badran, Global Head of Engineering at Taoglas, about designing antennas for everything from ultra-luxury phones made of solid gold to today’s most complex connected devices. Packed with hard-earned insights, real-world challenges, and advice every hardware team needs to hear — this is your behind-the-scenes look at what really makes wireless work. Visit The Website : https://www.theantennapodcast.com Welcome to The Antenna Podcast with Dermot O’Shea, your go-to source for in-depth discussions, expert insights, and cutting-edge developments in the world of antennas and wireless communication.

    25 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Love antennas or want to know more about them? Every two weeks we ask an expert from the antenna world to pick and topic and tell us more. If you are also an expert we would love to hear your thoughts or have you on the show! If you are a novice, tune in to get into our community. I founded and run an antenna company and work on many antenna projects with our engineers in Taoglas every day. It fascinates me how many antennas are in our lives and what goes into designing and developing them. 

Information

  • Creator
    Dermot O'Shea
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Antenna Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Antenna Podcast