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MagFieldSniffer.
pa0nhc 20190304/0926


Schema.
* start of winding.

PCB design, abt. 95 x 95 mm.

A piece of 32mm PVC pipe
could serve as handle.

Test example together with my microwatt meter.
The original idea is from 

  LZ1AQ

            Properties.
This little balanced magnetic (H-) field antenna has a symmetrical structure and equipped with matching transformer and a balanced to unbalanced common mode choke. Its eight sides are are 45mm long. The 50 ohms output is asymmetrical, and matched to the antenna through a 12 : 1 : 1 transformer. Its wide bandwidth is abt 1MHz to 25 MHz due to the very low loading (abt. 1.4 Ohms), and its small size compared to the wave lengths of interest.

            It can be used for :
-  Finding magnetic noise radiating equipment.
-  Finding common mode currents along 
      Coax cables,
      Balanced transmission lines, 
      DC and AC power cords,
-  Checking the effectiveness of common  mode chokes on antenna feeders,
-  Using very low power, determining the current distribution along antenna parts like radials, radaitors and feed lines.
-  Wideband E-field antenna for EMV-spion, a special noise finding wideband receiver.
-  Noise sampler for a "noise cancellar".
-  Antenna for a magnetic field strength indicator.
        A long thin coax connection will here not cause much cable losses, as the antenna is matched to 50 Ohms.

            Test results.
-  At the front of a plasma TV screen, several locations of noise sources could be identified.
-  At the front of an LCD TV and an LCD PC monitor no noise sources could be found.
-  At the back of that LCD TV screen one strong noise sources (its SMPS?) could be identified, although it was behind a steel cabinet cover.
-  At a 12Vdc/30A linear power supply with 20 A load, a weak (50 Hz?) mains transformer field could be identified.
-  At several (only little RF noisy) SMPS 5Vdc power plugs very weak E-field noise could be identified.
.
            Winding.
Transformer T1 is wound onto a HF 25 MHz wideband Ui=125 ring core 1/2"diameter (FT50-61).
Use 1mm diameter insulated wire, for instance one straightened wire wire pulled from a piece of CAT5 network cable.
First wind the 12 primary turns, close to each other, in one direction through the hole of the core. All turn beside each other (not over nor under each other). 
Secondly wind the secondary turns in one direction, 2 x 1 turn aside each other. When connecting, mind the correct phase (see the diagram).
Connect the center of the secondary winding to the center af the antenna.

Wind the common mode choke (balun) L1 onto an 1/2" FairRite MIX#31 core.
Use two equal lengths of thin 0.25mm enamel (lacquered) coil wire.
FIRST TWIST this wire pair 3 full turns per cm while pulling it straight.
Wind and fill the core over 340 degr. circumference, in one direction.
Every turn must lay close beside the former turn, without overlap, nor underlap.