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Avi had tried to configure SpecLab for me so I could use the antenna for stuff, but he told me it isn't working. I don't know what's wrong with it, and I'd like to know how to fix it without rebuilding the entire thing.
I wound 30awg magnet wire 50 or so times around a 2 foot by 4 foot wooden mount (I tried to get it square but I couldn't). It is connected to a headphone jack which will plug into my computer. I have no idea how to fix it or what's wrong with it, or even how to find out what is wrong with it. If needed, I will post a video of the antenna (but I can't now because I am in school).
Registered Member #162
Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 10:25AM
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3140
1) check your pc setup by using a microphone to see the spectrum 2) 50 turns 2' x 4' would make a good antenna for am broadcast radio ...... which will be a MUCH larger signal than any vlf that may be receivable 3) You DEFINITELY need a preamplifier, e.g. 4) You need to either shield the antenna (as in the above link) or make a 'balanced' antenna.
Registered Member #96
Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
Location: CI, Earth
Posts: 4059
Might be worth doing what some guys on the amateur forums did and making your own square antenna.
This can be done by salvaging four long identical ferrite rods, winding the Litz wire onto each leaving a nice tinned tail and then making up a mixture of iron III oxide and epoxy and cementing the rods together with as small a gap as possible and ensuring that the "sense" ends are in phase ie same turn direction. Connect the wires together but leave one corner open as this is your take-off point.
Also I'd use a Bluetooth headphone as the pickup so the antenna can be located well away from any interfering mains, and wrap the whole antenna in copper or aluminium tape apart from one small slot so it isn't a complete circuit. EDIT:- And a cantenna to send the signal to a convenient PC etc so it can be solar powered and installed in a tree.
... not Russel! Registered Member #1
Joined: Thu Jan 26 2006, 12:18AM
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Posts: 1052
I've had a little luck with a similar antenna. Most of the really big VLF transmitters don't require a lot of sensitivity. Assuming you're on the west coast, NPM in Hawaii at 21.4 kHz or so should be relatively easy to receive. NAA, in Cutler, Maine, at 24 kHz should be a little harder but doable. PM me or reply here and I'd be happy to take a look at your spectrograms.
I've had a little luck with a similar antenna. Most of the really big VLF transmitters don't require a lot of sensitivity. Assuming you're on the west coast, NPM in Hawaii at 21.4 kHz or so should be relatively easy to receive. NAA, in Cutler, Maine, at 24 kHz should be a little harder but doable. PM me or reply here and I'd be happy to take a look at your spectrograms.
I'm in Florida, lol. Uh, the antenna broke and I can't fix it at the moment, but it shows a straight line at 60hz and some other intervals.
... not Russel! Registered Member #1
Joined: Thu Jan 26 2006, 12:18AM
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Posts: 1052
Ah, then yeah, NAA in Cutler should be a pretty easy catch. NPM is a little more difficult, but they do a series of CW dashes nightly that should be receivable from there.
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VLF antenna not working
