High Voltage Antenna Protection for Hand-held and Man-pack Radios

Upon completing the Phase I program, QorTek was able to successfully demonstrate an antenna protection device which consists of a mechanical mechanism which physically and electrically separates the antenna from an accidental contact to high voltage such as those found in overhead high voltage (>30kV) tension lines. This mechanism is useful on HF radio systems, such as those from 3 – 30 MHz, whose antennas must be long (> 45in) in order to be efficient radiators. The device is also compatible with older fielded antennas as well as newer systems currently deployed. The mechanism was tested up to 5kV and successfully actuated in a few AC cycles provided the desired disconnect time. The Phase II program aims to further fine tune and develop the mechanism to provide protection up to 35kV and disconnect speeds of less than three AC 60Hz cycles. The device will also be ruggedized to provide reliable and repeatable functionality in all MIL-STD conditions. The protection device, which is inserted between the man-pack or hand-held radio and antenna, will be evaluated by our program partners Harris Communication Systems and Lockheed-Martin Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) Owego.