Vertical polarized antennas for low-VHF radio meteor detection

The study of meteors by radio using a bistatic RADAR configuration in the Low-VHF portion of the spectrum requires the use of receiving antennas that are not always easy to install while fulfilling the imposed requirements. In order to facilitate the implementation of radio meteor detection stations that operate in this frequency range, the parameters of vertical antennas with unusual characteristics were analyzed. These antennas are characterized as having uncommon features in term of geometry and radiation patterns, whereas they should be simple to build, feed and install. Based on this analysis, a directive vertical antenna array which exhibits by design the features that make it suitable for radio meteor detection is proposed and preliminary results are provided.