Novel Mechanical Magnetic Shutter Antenna for ELF /VLF Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation from 3 Hz to 30 kHz in the ELF/ULF/VLF bands sees continued and even renewed interest, despite significant engineering challenges in creating portable radiation systems in this frequency range. A novel mechanical shutter-based antenna with fixed permanent magnets is presented that allows for broadband radiation from a handheld source without the excessive mechanical requirements that have made traditional mechanical antenna concepts impractical. The validated prototype is a mechanical alternative to an electrically short antenna.