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VLF Receiver Kit

Many VLF receivers have been developed over the years and some are available in kit form or already built. Few, if any, of these receivers are based on a systems approach and none include all the needed components. A VLF receiver system includes not only the receiver itself but also an antenna and an antenna tuning unit (ATU). A receiver system that is unique in this respect is the UK Radio Astronomy Association (UKRAA) VLF Receiver System. The components (receiver, antenna, and antenna tuning unit) can be purchased separately or together. They are available in kit form or already built from UKRAA in Britain.

We have a few of the UKRAA kits available for shipment to United States destinations. We obtain our kits from UKRAA and, except for some enclosure components, are identical to the kits sold by them. Scroll down to see some pictures of the various kits.

Click here for a paper "Applications of the UKRAA Very Low Frequency Receiver System" that we presented March 20, 2010 at the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA) 2010 Western Conference at Stanford University in Mountain View, California.

Complete VLF Receiver System Kit

Includes one of each (described below):

  • Receiver Kit
  • Receiver Enclosure Kit
  • Loop Antenna Kit
  • Antenna Magnet Wire Kit
  • Antenna Tuning Unit
  • The complete system kitis shipped in two packages, one containing the Antenna Kit and another containing the remaining items
  • Total shipping weight: 7 lb
  • Price: $300.00

Most Kits may be ordered separately as indicated:

Receiver Kit (may be ordered separately)

  • Silk-screened printed circuit board (PCB)
  • All PCB-mounted passive components (resistors, capacitors)
  • All PCB-mounted active components (transistors, diodes, integrated circuits)
  • Manuals and related documentation on CD
  • Note: The receiver kit does not include an enclosure or any enclosure-mounted connectors but it does include all PCB connectors. See Receiver Enclosure Kit below
  • Shipping weight: 1 lb
  • Price: US$119.00

Receiver Enclosure Kit (may be ordered separately)

  • Extruded aluminum enclosure
  • Pre-drilled and cut front and rear end-panels
  • Pre-printed labels
  • Binding posts and coaxial antenna connector
  • Coaxial dc power jacks
  • Hookup wire
  • Shipping weight: 2 lb
  • Price: US$64.00

Loop Antenna Kit (only available with complete kit)

  • Pre-cut hardwood cross-bars
  • Pre-cut base and cross-bar supports
  • Note: The basic antenna kit does not include any magnet wire. The builder can supply their own or order the optional Antenna Magnet Wire Kit below
  • Shipping weight: 2 lb
  • Price: Not available separately

Antenna Magnet Wire Kit (only available with complete kit)

  • Coated magnetic wire, 24 AWG, 240 m
  • Shipping weight: 1.5 lb
  • Price: Not available separately

Antenna Tuning Unit (only available with complete kit)

  • Pre-assembled and tested antenna tuning unit. Includes fixed and variable capacitors, switches and enclosure
  • Connectorized coaxial cable, 50 cm long
  • Shipping weight: 0.5 lb
  • Price: Not available separately

Optional Coaxial Power Plug Kit (may be ordered separately)

  • Set of two coaxial power plugs (2.1 x 5.5 mm)
  • Shipping weight: 4 oz
  • Price: US$9.95

Prices and specifications subject to change
Prices do not include 4% PayPal surcharge

To place an order or inquire, contact us at the following address. Be sure to put "VLF Receiver" in the Subject line to avoid our spam filters:

Important - Read This Before Ordering or Inquiring

Pictures of VLF Receiver Kit under construction