New mw EME QSL. QRP plans using the 60w amplifier mentioned above will likely be the first 1296 MHz EME
operation on the 4.9m dish.
I am half-way toward builiding a 300w solid-state amplifier kit.
Go to 1296 Amplifier for details and photo's documenting construction
and testing of this kit. I should soon have the first of two 150w modules complete and ready
for testing and installation on the dish. Six watt drive from the transverter is expected
to drive that to about 120w. When that is achieved I will remove the 60w amplifier for use
on terrestrial 1296. Eventually a 30w amplifier kit will be constructed to provide full
drive (16-20w) to the completed 300w amp.
The dish mount permits az-movement in three stages: 035-131, 132-236, and 237-330 degrees
stepped in roughly 90-degree increments. Elevation is from 0.5 to +88 degrees. Azimuth
movement currently restricted 030-230 degrees.
A paper describing the construction of the dish was presented at the 2010 International
EME Conference in Dallas, Texas. (2.4 Mb pdf)
I have 60w running at the dish, but have mechanical repairs needed on the dish and the digital
encoder system before use can be resumed. I am in the progress of revising the design of the
Feed mount structure:
Updated 1296 MHz EME Station Layout:
The 4.9 meter dish (16-foot)
Assembly completed September 21, 2008:
Link to Construction history photos.
Calibrating digital encoders with a Sun Shot:
Photo showing new pyramidal horn installed on the septum feed and new support for the 432 feed:
Views of the horn before installation Front Top Side
Three views of the LNA Layout for 432 and 1296:
Return for updates on station progress!
Return to Home Page