Woodpecker Grid Standing Wave Detector

SDR-based detector for 10Hz pulse-modulated HF standing waves — Soviet Woodpecker signal characterization

$180 plan

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// Blueprint rendering available after purchase

Technical Specifications

Classification Scalar EM — Detection / SIGINT

Front End RTL-SDR or HackRF (SDR)

Frequency 3–30 MHz HF band

Target Modulation 10 Hz pulse envelope

Analysis Python FFT + envelope detection pipeline

Antenna HF resonant longwire (plan included)

Difficulty 2 / 5

Est. Build Cost $250–$450

Est. Build Time 2–3 weeks

Overview

The Soviet Woodpecker (UVB-76 and its predecessors) transmitted high-power HF signals modulated at a distinctive ~10 Hz repetition rate, which Bearden and others theorized produced standing scalar wave interference patterns across intercontinental distances — a "grid" of scalar potential nodes. This detector is an SDR-based instrument designed to capture, characterize, and map Woodpecker-type modulation signatures in the HF band. It uses a software-defined radio front end (RTL-SDR or similar), a precision HF antenna, and a Python-based signal processing pipeline that performs envelope detection, FFT analysis, and geographic pulse correlation. The system can distinguish genuine 10 Hz pulse-modulated HF signals from broadband interference and documents the temporal and spatial coherence of detected grid nodes. Build includes antenna construction, SDR calibration, and the full Python analysis codebase.

Intended Research Use

Woodpecker grid detection, HF standing wave characterization, over-the-horizon radar signal analysis, Bearden scalar grid theory experimental basis.

Bill of Materials (12 components)

#Component

01 RTL-SDR v3 dongle (or HackRF One)

02 HF upconverter (Ham-It-Up or equiv.)

03 Longwire antenna wire (20m, 14 AWG copper)

04 Antenna feedline (RG-58, 10m)

05 BNC-to-SMA adapter

06 Ferrite choke balun (type 31, ×2)

07 Grounding rod + copper strap

08 USB 3.0 hub (powered)

09 Python 3.x + GNU Radio environment (PC)

10 Band-pass filter, HF (3–30 MHz)

11 Low-noise preamp (20dB, HF-rated)

12 Notebook PC (Linux preferred for GNU Radio)

Get Build Plan

Complete plan PDF including all specs, winding geometry, drive circuit schematics, measurement protocols, and Gerber files where applicable.

$180 one-time

Purchase plan — Stripe

Also available: Component kit $750 — members get 10% off

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Complete build documentation (PDF)

Winding specs + circuit schematics

Measurement + verification protocols

Sourcing guide for all BOM items

Lifetime access, no subscription

Build Difficulty

Accessible — good first build for newcomers to scalar EM.

Est. cost: $250–$450
Est. time: 2–3 weeks