1.7 Ghz HRPT Helicone Antenna

This is a portable light weight handheld HRPT receiving antenna of weather satellite imagery. It can also be used on a motorized satellite tracker.

Materials needed:

-A metallic conductive mesh, I used aluminum mosquito net.
-About 1.5m of 6mm² copper wire
-Sheet metal to cut a 133mm circular ground plane
-2mm self tapping flat head screws
-A flange mount SMA male connector
-2 M8 bolts
-2 M8 washers
-4 M8 nuts

If you're new to HRPT, a 1.7GHz SAW LNA such as the Sawbird+ GOES is absolutely necessary.

Update: Added an optional tripod accessory for the antenna, you'll need a 1/4" nut

Update:

-There was an error in the manual, if you're using the tool to wind the coil you should turn the tool clockwise, not counter-clockwise.

-New coil winder tool, it turns out since the wire is thick after winding the coil it will get too large making it difficult to wind into the helix support. So now the winder is 52mm diameter instead of 56 which should make the finished coil the right size (56mm), also rounded the edges so it's easier on the hand.

• The helix support is reenforced to avoid breakage, with the new tool it shouldn't force the support as much anyway.