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SLOT ANTENNA UHF ANTENNA

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

Document Number: TM-SLOT-ANTENNA-001 Rev A Equipment: SLOT ANTENNA UHF ANTENNA Classification: UNCLASSIFIED — Amateur Radio / Field Use Date: 2026-05-24 Supersedes: None (initial issue)


RECORD OF CHANGES

Change No. Rev Date Description By
1 A 2026-05-24 Initial formatted release M. Martin

Bands: 70cm band (430–440 MHz) Approach: Slot antenna: slot cut in metal sheet or PCB ground plane, complementary to dipole, wideband variant Compaction: 0%


CHAPTER 1 — DESCRIPTION

Slot antenna: slot cut in metal sheet or PCB ground plane, complementary to dipole, wideband variant

Special parameters: 36 mm slot on PCB ground plane, dipole slot pair configuration, 50Ω microstrip feed, wideband design for full 70cm band


CHAPTER 2 — TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Parameter Value
Frequency bands 70cm band (430–440 MHz)
Feedpoint impedance 50 Ω (nominal)
SWR target < 2.0:1
Efficiency 70–95%
Gain 0–12 dBi

CHAPTER 3 — COMPONENTS AND MATERIALS

See detailed specification in slot_antenna_uhf_specs.csv


CHAPTER 4 — FABRICATION

  1. Review design parameters and dimensions
  2. Procure materials per component list
  3. Fabricate elements per specifications
  4. Install feedpoint connector
  5. Assemble and secure structure
  6. Verify physical dimensions match design
  7. Test with antenna analyzer (nanoVNA)

CHAPTER 5 — TESTING

Use nanoVNA and tinySA per FIELD_TESTING_WITH_INSTRUMENTS.md:

  1. Resonance: Find zero-reactance dip on Smith chart
  2. SWR: Measure across band, target < 2.0:1
  3. Impedance: Record R and jX at center frequency
  4. Spectrum: Use tinySA to verify radiation pattern

CHAPTER 6 — TROUBLESHOOTING

High SWR: Check physical dimensions, verify feed connection Frequency offset: Adjust element length or loading Impedance mismatch: Use antenna tuner or feed network


APPENDIX A — PARTS LIST

See slot_antenna_uhf_specs.csv


APPENDIX B — DIAGRAMS

See figures/ folder for antenna layout, circuit schematic, construction detail


APPENDIX C — NEC MODEL

See slot_antenna_uhf.nec for electromagnetic simulation


Navy Technical Manual Level — Generated with NEC2 modeling

Figures

Slot Antenna Uhf Antenna Layout
Slot Antenna Uhf Antenna Layout
Slot Antenna Uhf Circuit Schematic
Slot Antenna Uhf Circuit Schematic
Slot Antenna Uhf Construction Detail
Slot Antenna Uhf Construction Detail

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