8 Comments  to  Learn by doing, the Tin Can Radar Forum

1. jhonascate says:

   November 3, 2012 at 4:58 pm

   any suggestions on the ideal material of the can? would wrapping the inside of the can with aluminum foil or another metal be helpful? thanks

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   • G. L. Charvat says:

     November 3, 2012 at 5:01 pm

     Good question, it should not matter if you are operating at 2.4 GHz.

     Cheers,
     Greg

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2. jhwill says:

   November 5, 2012 at 7:01 pm

   Greg is correct that the type of metal is not important for the antenna operation (pattern, gain, and polarization). But it is important when decided on how to connect the coaxial cable. Here is one design that uses a Pringles can. http://www.oreillynet.com/etel/blog/2001/07/antenna_on_the_cheap_er_chip.html

   I think Greg’s design calls for a bulkhead SMA connector and a Tin plated can. So you just solder the connector to the can which makes a good electrical and mechanical connection. Larger connectors and other metals can be connected with fasteners. But if you use a cardboard can that has an aluminum foil lining then it will be difficult to make a good connection. The above site ignores the electrical connection and uses epoxy to strengthen the joint. This may be “good enough” for a communications type application, but the reduced isolation may be noticeable in the radar application.

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3. wukong says:

   November 9, 2012 at 6:35 pm

   Digi-Key no longer carries the MAX414CPD opamp. Neither does Mouser or Jameco. Is there a substitute or other source?

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   • wukong says:

     November 10, 2012 at 2:43 pm

     I found the chip at alibi.

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   • Y3G says:

     February 28, 2013 at 2:50 pm

     Hi,
     I ordered some at ebay from the UK, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAX414-Maxim-28MHz-Quad-Low-Noise-Precision-Op-Amps-/120714035522

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4. Moncho says:

   January 24, 2015 at 5:43 am

   Hi!
   I’m from Spain and I haven’t found the op amp neither. I’ve used the LM 324 but it doesn’t work correctly…
   Do you have any idea to solve it??
   Thanks and great work with the coffee can by the way

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5. mhmtgncr says:

   December 9, 2015 at 5:26 pm

   Hi,
   Are there any people who can explain the using sync pulse on FMCW mode?
   What is purpose of this pulse from the modulator to the left channel pc audio port?
   I hope someones help me to solve this subject.
   Thanks…

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