HERF gun

The HERF gun is an ongoing [failed] project with the goal of learning about high voltage circuits and the power of electromagnetic fields. HERF stands for High Energy Radio Frequency, and in this case I am designing [was designing] a gun to fire radio pulses at electronic objects, either disrupting their operation or permanently disabling them.

The basic design consists of the oscillator, ignition coil driver circuit, ignition coil, secondary stage, and horn antenna. The order of operation is: The oscillator controls the driver circuit which pulses the ignition coil to form a high (20-40 kV) voltage output. If I can find high voltage capacitors cheaply enough, there will be a secondary stage to raise the voltage output to about 200 kV. Then a final capacitor is discharged through a spark gap, with a horn antenna to guide a focused blast of radio waves towards the target.

1. Oscillator
2. Ignition Coil Driver
3. Ignition Coil - Not complete
4. Secondary stages - Not complete
5. Antenna - Not complete

Latest Updates:

July 16, 2004 - Yes, this project is dead. The design isn't powerful enough. There's nothing worth viewing here.

October 30, 2003 - Preliminary testing of the first stage (minus the antenna) has indicated issues with the strength. There is just not enough power in 72 watts input to be of any significance. As of now, this design is on hold while other plans are researched. I know it will work with a microwave magnetron, but I'm not ready to risk exposing myself to microwaves.

September 14, 2003 - I have built and successfully tested the oscillator and ignition coil driver. I am currently waiting for the end of the month to get my ignition coils.