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    Series Connect 2 Plug Packs for Split Rail Supply

    As shown in my original diagram, the negative of one supply is connected to the positive of the other in series. This center point becomes a common ground. The supplies I have here happen to be two pin so there is no reference from -DC to AC ground. I just found this article which offers an...
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    Series Connect 2 Plug Packs for Split Rail Supply

    I would like to place two 12VDC plug packs in series to create a split rail supply. I have done this successfully before but forgot where to place the blocking diodes so the SMPS' don't talk to each other. Can someone please refresh my memory? There may be all sorts of reasons this is not an...
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    Antenna Design to Capture Atmospheric E-field Gradient

    Thanks. All good pointers. I was concerned about RF, or picking up some strange submarine transmission ;-) The measuring device will require more investigation. High impedance. High voltage. Any ideas? Yes, I was thinking of 50 ohm coax, but the top end needs lots of points (not just one) to...
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    Antenna Design to Capture Atmospheric E-field Gradient

    Here is a video that explains the principal probably better than I have. However, as previously mentioned, I am not interested in powering devices. I just want to measure the current variations in the wire. The proposed diode would be to nullify any AC effect.
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    Antenna Design to Capture Atmospheric E-field Gradient

    The vertical wire may have the same voltage all its length, as determined by height, but that is referenced to ground or "zero" volts, not the wire itself. Or am I missing something? Apart from that, people have done this successfully before to power small motors, etc. Any answers to my...
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    Antenna Design to Capture Atmospheric E-field Gradient

    That's a great general article. There are also patents related to atmospheric energy "generation". https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/40/df/b3/cef213c6144f62/US1540998.pdf But I am looking for details specific to my proposed construction which is a simple detector of DC potential.
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    Antenna Design to Capture Atmospheric E-field Gradient

    As I mentioned, this is not about "energy harvesting" per se but rather voltage measurement. In other words, a detector of variations in the atmospheric e-field gradient ... which is vertical. Hence the vertical antenna. My question related to configuration of the antenna and rectification for...
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    Antenna Design to Capture Atmospheric E-field Gradient

    I would like to erect a tall antenna to tap into the Earth's atmospheric e-field potential relative to ground. Theoretically, this can be hundreds of volts per meter. The process is also known as "ion harvesting". What I had in mind was a 20 meter length of cable with pointed spurs or wire...
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    Using Detuned AM/FM Radio as Spectrum Analyzer Input

    The assumption was that the radio I use will, as many do, have an RF amp prior to the mixer. If the RF filter can be disabled, my hope was that this would result in a "wide band" output. I would check the level before connecting the SA. On the other hand, if the tuning is left intact, and the...
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    Using Detuned AM/FM Radio as Spectrum Analyzer Input

    I think my wording has been misunderstood. The idea of the radio, valid or not, is simply an amp in front of a SA. The fact that the latter scans does not seem relevant. As previously explained, I would be satisfied to see the frequency spectrum, and live with whatever effect the AGC may have...
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    Using Detuned AM/FM Radio as Spectrum Analyzer Input

    Yes. Just that it's an unfamiliar area for me. I already have a few "junk" radios around looking for excitement. Maybe it's a silly idea, but that's how I got started in electronics.
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    Using Detuned AM/FM Radio as Spectrum Analyzer Input

    Yes, my aim is to monitor the AM/FM frequency spectrum in poor reception areas. The amp circuit is interesting but I am not skilled in RF construction and was looking for a ready-made solution. Even if there are compromises, at least it will be a starting point.
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    Using Detuned AM/FM Radio as Spectrum Analyzer Input

    I am confused by your statements regarding spectrum analyzers. I have two R&S FHS6's. They can display at once once the entire spectrum of 100KHz to 6GHz, or any window in between. In using the AM/FM radio as an input, I am only interested in monitoring the frequency spectrum and not amplitude...
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    Using Detuned AM/FM Radio as Spectrum Analyzer Input

    Thank you for your advice. I may try anyway just to learn more about radio circuits. Maybe replace the LC tuner with series resistance and see what happens.
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    Using Detuned AM/FM Radio as Spectrum Analyzer Input

    Is it not possible to bypass the LC circuits? Even without a diagram, those coils are easy to spot on the PCB. As in my OP, I would try simply shorting out the variable cap first for both bands. Yes, I know about AM. All I want is the raw single of everything the antenna is picking up. If there...
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    Using Detuned AM/FM Radio as Spectrum Analyzer Input

    I would like to use an inexpensive battery powered radio to capture and boost the entire AM/FM frequency band to display on a spectrum analyzer. Is this as simple as shorting out the variable tuning cap, and bypassing the demodulation stages, or would other component changes be required...
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    10X Multiplier-Prescaler for Frequencies Above 3GHz

    Good suggestion. I will look into it, hoping AD has not "protected" the design files. As a first step, maybe I could try patching the chip onto one of these ready-made I/O boards. https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20210813151554&SearchText=frequency+divider+module
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    10X Multiplier-Prescaler for Frequencies Above 3GHz

    I would have trouble justifying $250 for an experiment. The innovation paywall strikes again.
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    10X Multiplier-Prescaler for Frequencies Above 3GHz

    That is a great lead. The evaluation board is $250 here. https://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/data-sheets/hmc862a.pdf I am not an RF engineer, nor do I have dedicated test equipment. What would be my chances of winging it with the chip alone ($17) wired up in a shielded box...
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    10X Multiplier-Prescaler for Frequencies Above 3GHz

    Yes, my terminology was incorrect. What I meant was a prescaler that would make 30GHz appear as if 3GHz to the spectrum analyzer's input stage. So a divider for the signal that would effectively multiply the range of the SA analyzer by 10.
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