[amsat-bb] Re: 10' dish radio astronomy?

[Edward R. Cole]

At 03:48 PM 10/18/2006 -0400, Tom Clark, K3IO wrote:
>
>You might be interested in the SRT (Student Radio Telescope) activity
>initiated by the Haystack Observatory. Take a look at
>http://www.haystack.edu/edu/undergrad/srt/index.html. It is based on a
>7' (or larger) TVRO dish and the web site contains technical details and
>suggested projects. About 100 high schools and colleges and a few
>intrepid amateurs have made SRTs. All the hardware and software for the
>SRT is open source. Also note the SRT bulletin board at
>http://www.haystack.mit.edu/edu/undergrad/srt/forum/.
>
>For folks who want to purchase SRT hardware, check out
>http://www.cassicorp.com/; however I note that the last time I checked
>with Cassi, their delivery times were ~6 months.
>
>CASSI makes a nice az-el antenna mount and Haystack has also used the
>Polish Alfa-Spid rotor (VE6JY and
>http://www.alfaradio.ca/alfaspid.html). Both use DC motors which
>provides for high torque at a slow, steady drive speed. You might be
>interested in the az-el positioning controller for ~24VDC motors -- just
>click on "Upgraded Ground Controller" at
>http://www.haystack.edu/edu/undergrad/srt/receiver/Downloadable_Resources.h
tml.
>While there, also pick up the Functional Block Diagram to get an idea of
>the scope of the project.
>
>By way of "truth in advertising", I have had a strong professional tie
>with Haystack and their projects for 35+ years -- especially in VLBI and
>Geodesy areas (see http://www.haystack.edu/), and I now serve on their
>Board of Trustees, so don't expect me say anything bad!
>
>73. Tom

For those interested in using their large dishes (>7-foot) for radio
astronomy, I direct you to the website of the Soc. of Amateur Radio
Astronomers (SARA), est. 1971.  They have a annual meeting/conference at
NRAO Greenbank each summer.
http://www.radio-astronomy.org

I've been a member since 1998 and have used my 8-foot dish for RA.  I'm
planning on a 16-foot dish for 1296-eme/1420 RA for summer 2007 (check my
webpage for details). 
73's,
Ed - KL7UW 
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