Go here for information about the Septum Feed.
Spring 2009 - Update:
QRP plans using the 60w amplifier mentioned above will likely be the first
1296 MHz EME operation on the 4.9m dish. I sold my GI-7b and TH-328 PA's to raise
funds to purchase the 300w solid-state amplifier kit marketed by W6PQL.
Go to the new 1296 Amplifier Page for details and photo's documenting construction
and testing of this kit.
Summer 2008 - Update:
A 1296/1420 MHz septum feed will be installed on the 4.9m dish instead of
the 2.4m dish. The dish mount permits az-movement starting from 40-160 degrees
and stepped in 120-degree increments. Elevation is from -14 to +90 degrees.
2008 updated 1296 MHz EME Station Layout:
The 4.9 meter dish (16-foot)
Assembly completed September 21, 2008:
Digging hole for dish mount Oct. 10, 2008 (click to see larger image):
Concrete work done Oct. 18, 2008 (click to see larger image):
"October Moon"!
Azimuth Support structure construction Nov 9, 2008 (click to see larger image):
Work on Nov 23, 2008 (click to see larger image):
Dish installed on azimuth-elevation carriage by boom truck on November 25, 2008 (click to see larger image):
New wheels - April 12, 2009
More pictures of the dish:- Dish with 8-wheels (April 18, 2009)
- Close up of azimuth tube and arm
- Back views with az and el actuators installed (May 1, 2009)
- Close up of elevation arm connection to dish
June 10: Welding of the azimuth brackets and elevation supports with
addition of bracing strengthens the dish az-el framework.
June 18: Dish is now rotatable in az-el. Still waiting from chain drive
gear to install azimuth angle encoder. Feed support brackets are modified
and feed and LNA can be installed. Some coax jumpers and control cables
need to be connected, counterweights installed,and150w final PA installed
on dish.
June 19: Measured the dish depth at 24-inches (quite a bit less than
estimated) resulting in a focal length of 96-inches and f/d ratio of 0.5.
My septum will show some spill over at the dish edge degrading G/T
performance. I may make a pyramidal horn for it. A cylindrical N2UO
septum feed will be ideal and may be built later in the summer.
Photos of the dish with feed and supports installed. Also showing some
details of the az-el system:
Details of the split azimuth drive gear, chain drive (7.66:1 ratio), and inclinometer:
Return for updates on station progress!
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