The hero of this regulatory pivot was the Vortis Antenna, an interferometric array design that used wave interference to nullify RF near the user while directing it outward. John Coates conceived the design in the late 1990s, years before it was formally patented.
In 1999, Coates made a pivotal decision. Still a young man and driven by a desire to reduce people’s microwave exposure—not to seek profit—he transferred the technology to Silicon Valley telecom innovator James (Jim) Johnson. As Coates recalls, Johnson asked him a defining question: Did he want this to remain a dream, or become a reality? Johnson promised he could make it real, and with that assurance, Coates handed over the rights without receiving a dime, despite having personally invested years of work and significant funds. His only motivation was to change the rules and protect people’s health.
Johnson co-founded Myers-Johnson Inc. (MJI) with Steven Myers, and the company took the Vortis prototype to the FCC during its 2003 proceedings. Their petition demonstrated how the isotropic rule was blocking safer antenna innovations. The Vortis showed it could reduce exposure by up to 90%, quiet interference for hearing aids, and even improve efficiency. The FCC’s response validated this push: directional antennas were allowed, nullifying the rigid isotropic mandate and marking a turning point in antenna design policy.
Though commercialization later stumbled—MJI was acquired by Vortis Technology Ltd. in 2005, only for the company to fold in 2007—Coates’ decision to release the invention royalty-free underscored his commitment to the public good.
That same ethos continues today. His most recent patent, covering Li-Fi (light-based wireless networking), is held in his name. While he partnered with others to prototype the system and assigned a portion of the rights accordingly, Coates has publicly committed to donating his share to the proposed National Sovereignty Fund championed by Donald Trump, should the U.S. government seek to lead the world in photonics. For him, the principle remains unchanged: you cannot serve both money and God. Coates has chosen to serve God with the talents he was given, placing public health and national advancement above personal profit.
