The Bob Stricklin hydrogen line signal generator for testing hydrogen line radio telescopes

Bob has designed and made a neat little patch antenna which attaches to a NanoVNA to produce a 1420MHz signal to use to test hydrogen line systems.

(1) Attach patch antenna to input 0 on the NanoVNA.

(2) Turn NanoVNA on.

(3) Select CW transmit option.

(4) Adjust strength of signal – on my NanoVNA, this is done in calibrate menu where gain can be changed from “auto” to 2mW, 4mW, 6mW or 8mW (highest).

In my tests, even at 2mW, the hydrogen line systems are completely dominated by their detection of the signal from this device when I power it up in the garden, even when the device is not in line with the antenna.

By Admin

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