This was my attempt at a high power x-band frequency HPM device, using a high gain horn antenna, and a military magnetron.

Materials:

- 9kVRMS NST
- Capacitor bank of 16kV (or more) @ 2nF
- 3 Microwave oven diodes (each 12kV piv)
- Spark gap
- Horn antenna, made from sheet aluminum
- Military, Raytheon 2J56, 50kW @ 9.2GHz, X-Band radar magnetron
- Isolated 6.3VRMS filiment heater transformer

full 2J55/2J56 Pulse Magnetron Specs

Construction Details:

Basically all I had to do is calculate various ratings for components and throw them all together. At first I had trouble with two things, the unbalanced nature of the NST and the isolation of the heater transformer (which caused me to fry a $320 magnetron). I was able to purchase another one and fixed all the bugs in the pulsing device. I did not use a PFN (I did design a type-e PFN for the device) because the inductors in it would have to be huge and resist a lot of voltage. I did get excelent results with just LCR pulsing though. The horn was designed using my own software.

Results:

I tested the HERF without a horn antenna at first and accidentally blackscreened two of my own PC's that were in the house (far back BEHIND the HERF setup). After a few rebooting attempts the PC's were back up and running, but a direct blast with a horn antenna would be a definate doom for them. The range I had calculated for the HERF seemed right after a few tests. I had calculated 158 meters range at which 5mW/cm^2 of RF intesity would exist. Now If only I could get my hands on a $30,000 2.1MW xband tube.

Images:

Closeup of the second 50kW 2J56 magnetron. You can see the heater ports. The one on the left is the common cathode marked with either a "C" or a "K".


This is the first magnetron used for the HERF002. You can see the heater wires sticking out. There is also a cap on the wave guide output to prevent dust from getting in.


This is the second 2J56 magnetron used. This one is a newer make of the same model.