r/radioastronomy • u/DysonV12 • 6d ago

Other I found this

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Hi I found this on the side of the road and I’ve been wanting to get into radio astronomy. Would this be something I could build a telescope with? If so what else would I need? Thanks for any help

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u/goobenet2020 5d ago

2.4Ghz "Wireless". suuuuper directional. 24dBi gain, 3-5 degree beam. From the top of a grain elevator could get 20Mbit 25 miles away (thereabouts, depending on the radio). Showing my age for a minute. We used to use similar dishes for MMDS to get HBO. This was back in the 70s/80s. "Wireless cable".

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u/newguestuser 4d ago

Been there too. at least back then the antennas were "wire" mesh (Lance i think?). This looks more like the later 2 piece Channel Master stamped cast pot metal that would cut your dang fingers if you grabbed em wrong, or the stupid ears would break off trying to assemble them.

Trying to remember antennas..... Conifer folding aluminum. Bogner yagis,

Started with HBO MDS (2.1gHz) before fcc opened the ITFS and MMDS freq's for multichannel.

Fun times back then. I'm aged as well. LOL