2,4 m offset dish -
2,4m Prodelin is sold and not available anymore. This dish will replace 260cm solid offset dish

I used a 2.4m antenna all the year. It was the first offsett antenna I could practically test for EME operations. I'm very happy with the test results. The antenna worked very well from 1296 up to 24048 MHz. After deciding to try the work of EME on 47 GHz, I looked for an antenna that would be made of one piece of material. The previous antenna had 4 segments and a 1.5x1.5mm mesh integrated into the fiberglass was used as a reflecting surface. In tests of 24 GHz and 47 GHz bands, this disadvantage has already begun to manifest itself. In July 2020, I got a decommissioned all-metal antenna 2.6m in diameter, made of hardened aluminum. During August 2020, I built a new azimuth and elevation mechanism and started using the new antenna. More on antenna page offset diameter 2.6m. See you via Moon.
 

Finally I have tested the dish from 1296 MHz up to 24 GHz with excellent RX performance. I will use that antenna temporary on low bands too, before I finish new 8m offset antenna.
11th of November 2019 - 24048 MHz QRV
TRV 24048 MHz in dish feedpoint Detail of TRV - 23W RF - 1,1dB N/F
24th of October 2019 - 5760 MHz QRV
Pyramidal horn build for 6cm septum feed Feed horn complete with TRV inside of focus point
23rd of October 3400 MHz QRV
During the day I was 3400 MHz QRv and worked A21EME expedition 2,4m offset dish and TRV 45W RF out, 09dB N/F
   
21st - 22nd of October - QRV 2320 MHz
Horns for 2320 and 3400 MHz before of installation on the feed Dish ready for 13cm traffic
Septum feed with horn and SSPA, LNA box bellow of feed Look inside of feed during Sun noise measuring
19th - 20th of October I was QRV in ARRL EME contest 1296 MHz
Septum feed horn extended by pyramidal horn, 400mm long Detail of pyramidal horn - front side
Simulation and computing of horn, courtesy of Mirek OK2AQ, TNX!!!  
Finally QRV in ARRL EME MW part 21st - 22nd of September 2019 - 10368 MHz
 

 

18/09/2019 - last details finishing on the system - looking forward to test some QSO

 

Now I can use in feed point all my MW transverter. System for installation is same as I use in my portable 180cm prime focus dish. First test of antenna and Sun noise. Simulation of radiation pattern made by Mirek OK2AQ TNX !!!
16/09/2019
For light turning of azimuth gear was necessary install contra weight 65kg on the azimuth frame. Now is system balanced and gear is working light and precise. Backslash is bellow 0,1°AZ. Elevation read out with MAB 25, resolution 0,1°
MAB 25 for azimuth position. Both AZ and EL works perfect. Original PRODELIN fix setup
14/09/2019
Today I spend Saturday to work on mechanical extension of feed support. Original is designed only for 10 kg and less load, so with my TRVs I need to have 25 kg or more and very stabile installation. Following pictures showing how I made it. Next week I have to finish next parts of read outs and install cables. Than I can do my first test of Sun noise. I hope all will go well and I will be QRV in ARRL MW EME contest 2019 next weekend.
New feed axe New feed point support, original will be cute off later
Laser installed in focus point, 95mm above of original feed platform, for use of existing portable TRVs, I need feed axe 190mm Projection of laser with original feed point, 95mm
Extension of back frame for feed point support, will be cover soon by hot zinc surface. Original feed support is to week and anchored in fiber glass part of dish !!! Feed point support can to carry now 25kg easy, waiting hot zinc surface

Some progress 07/09/2019

Encoders AZ - EL ready for installation in the dish. Encoders MAB25 and OE5JFL control system.
Some progress 23/08/2019

Installing dish in the garden - 08/2019

After removing of 10m mesh dish, I am building first MW part of my new project. Following pictures showing progress with ground work and mechanical part of AZ and EL system for 2,5m offset dish. This system will be use on 10 and 24 GHz mainly.

 

Mast and dish frame on the solar panel gear 9". 36" heavy duty satellite actuator

 

Build and testing mechanical parts before installation - 2018

I have available 2,5m offset dish made by Prodelin USA, which I am expecting use for EME on 3 & 1,2cm bands. From beginning I had available just dish and back frame for dish fix mount. Choice of MW bands is requiring very high accuracy of dish position during pointing to the Moon. I have build small mast, azimuth frame and elevation bearings. All accuracy is focusing mainly for 24 GHz operation use. On following pictures you can see the mechanical part of dish rotating and elevation.

 

Main mast for dish, snail gear will be on the top

 

Frames arrived from hot Zink anticorrosion application

 

Frame ready for bearing install

 

Frame with bearing detail

 

Bearings and shafts

 

Frame with detail of elevation

 

Frame and 36" actuator for elevation

 

Frame - elevation and dish cross sections

 

Frame - elevation and dish cross sections and 1st quadrant of the dish, testing position

 

Frame - elevation and dish cross sections and 1st quadrant of the dish, testing position

 

 

MAB 25 encoder - azimuth encoder installation

 

 

 

 

 

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