Disposable stepped-frequency GPR and soil measurement devices

Some geophysical and geotechnical scientists would wish to non-invasively measure the electromagnetic properties of soils using inexpensive, even disposable, technology. They may even wish to develop inexpensive and compact low-power GPR equipment for such uses as teaching and mitigation of construction risks during excavation. To this end, a heuristic comparison is made between a commercial Vector Network Analyser (VNA) and two very low cost VNAs sourced from the amateur radio community. The results are used to illustrate the potential for technology transfer from amateur communications to the GPR community, in order that a wider range of technologies be available for inexpensive implementation in GPR and soil spectroscopy studies. It will be shown that even very low-cost gain and phase detection semiconductor devices can be used to develop simple GPR and soil measurement systems capable of being used in the field to compliment GPR survey interpretation, as well as for standalone soil monitoring.