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Antennas for VLF and ELF: Introduction

Design and simulation
Design and simulation

Construction
The construction activities

Assembly
Test assembly of the parts

Cabling
PC boards and preparing the wiring

After reading a good many sites on the subject, my interest in low frequencies was sufficiently peaked to decide and build a receiving system. An exciting possibility arose in starting a collaboration between the University where I teach, with the University of Stanford's AWESOME project, and so the antenna became first priority. This would also permit collaboration of the students...

Two large categories of VLF/ELF receiving systems are in use. One category specializes in receiving electrostatic energy ('voltage'); the other uses the electromagnetic fields and produces mainly current into the receiver. Located in a relatively hot country with a fair share of wind, I preferred the latter method, which is also the one in use for the AWESOME project.

To select only electromagnetic waves, the receiving antenna is a 'loop', consisting of a couple to many thousands of turns, according to the interest of the user, and somewhat depends on the 'quietness' of the reception location. Only very quiet locations can really take advantage of the large coils.

I decided to construct a loop (in fact, two loops), using standard water tubing and accessories. First I did a mechanical design and 'optimization' to avoid using excess materials. From a student's family, we received a donation for the actual tubing. Then, Bill of Materials in hand, to a nearby market to buy the rest of the plasticware.

A click on each of the images will lead to a dedicated gallery.

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(c) John Coppens ON6JC/LW3HAZ mail