Moveable antenna employing a hybrid RF and DC circuit

A connector assembly for removably attaching an antenna to a communication device, comprising:

• a connector arm pivotabiy mounted to said communication device, said connector arm having said antenna extending therefrom and being configured for manual rotation about a pivot axis;
• an antenna connector circuit mounted to said connector arm, said antenna circuit comprises a first shield circumscribing a first RF conductor disposed along said pivot axis, and a pair of sense pins;
• and
• a board track mounted to said communication device opposite said antenna connector circuit for electronic communication therewith, said board track comprises a second shield circumscribing a second RF conductor disposed along said pivot axis, and a conductive, arc shaped sense track;
• wherein said antenna connector circuit and said board track cooperate to produce an output signal indicative of an angular position of said antenna about said pivot axis,
• wherein said connector assembly is configured such that said first and second RF conductors are in electrical contact, said first and second shields are in mechanical contact, and said pair of sense pins interact with said sense track when said angular position of said antenna is within a permissible range of positions.

A communication device, comprising:

• a transceiver circuit configured to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals;
• a connector arm having an antenna extending therefrom, said connector arm including an antenna connector circuit including a sense pin;
• a connector assembly coupled to said connector arm and configured to removably attach said connector arm to said communication device such that, when said connector arm is attached to said device, said antenna may be manually rotated within a permissible rotation range;
• a board track affixed to said communication device and having a sense track configured for electrical communication with said sense pin;
• a coupling circuit including a coaxial conductor, a switch, and a comparator circuit configured for electrical communication with said transceiver circuit, said coaxial conductor having a first end in electrical communication with said transceiver circuit and a second end in electrical communication with said antenna;
• wherein said sense pin electrically engages said sense track to close said switch when said antenna is within said permissible rotation range, and wherein said comparator circuit is configured to enable transmission by said transceiver circuit when said switch is closed;
• and further wherein said sense pin electrically disengages said sense track to open said switch when said antenna is outside said permissible rotation range, and wherein said comparator circuit is configured to disable transmission by said transceiver when said switch is open.