2 layers103 × 30.5 mm
2 layers50.3 × 40.1 mm
VLFANT01B
mlab-modules/VLFANT016VLF antenna connection module
- Size
- 50.3 × 40.1 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 9
- Nets
- 10
- Pads
- 63
- Tracks, vias
- 151, 47
- Pours
- 3
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 5 (file 20160815)
- Created
- 17 Jul 2021
- Updated
- 12 Oct 2025
Overview
VLFANT01B is an open-source printed circuit board by mlab-modules, from the mlab-modules/VLFANT01 repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 50.3 × 40.1 mm with 9 parts on 10 nets, routed with 151 tracks and 47 vias.
It belongs with the radio and wireless boards of this library.
README
README.mdVLFANT01B
VLF antenna interconnection module
The module is usually used to make a magnetic loop antenna from the UTP pigtail. It is basic antenna for VLF ionospheric monitoring station.
Hardware
The module could be used by multiple ways
Antenna feed end on MLAB board
This usage case uses only one RJ45 connector populated on board. This connector is used for connection the UTP feed from the antenna.
Antenna connection module
In that situation all three RJ45 connectors are populated on the board. The two are used for connection the antenna loop. The last is used for feeding the signal to the receiver unit.
VLF antenna construction
The antenna is made from an aluminium tube ring. The parameters of the aluminium tube are not critical. But it is practical to use an tube which allows direct insertion of UTP pigtail including the connectors. The circumference of the tube ring should match the lengh of UTP cable used. Therefore the example 1.5m circle diameter aproximately match to 5m lenght UTP cable pigtail. In the reality we used the STP (Shilded variant of UTP cable), to minimize possibility of differences between antennas by different shaping of the cable in the tube, which could alter overall capacity, resulting in different resonant frequency.
Generated with MLABweb. (2019-09-12)
Parts
9| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | HOLE | Mlab_Mechanical:MountingHole_3mm | M1, M2, M3, M4 |
| 3 | RJ45_RJHSE-5384 | Mlab_CON:RJHSE-5384(RJ45) | J1, J2, J3 |
| 1 | JUMP_3X2 | Mlab_Pin_Headers:Straight_2x03 | J9 |
| 1 | SMA | Mlab_CON:SMA6251A13G50 | J7 |
Questions
How big is the VLFANT01B PCB?
It measures 50.3 × 40.1 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the VLFANT01B use?
9 parts. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the VLFANT01B KiCad files?
From the mlab-modules/VLFANT01 repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is hw/sch_pcb/VLFANT01B.kicad_pcb and its schematic hw/sch_pcb/VLFANT01B.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the VLFANT01B design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask mlab-modules before reusing the design.
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