Radio telescope

I have been slowly working on a new project.

I have been getting parts together to build my own.

Radio telescope!

Sounds like it would be a bit of a daunting task.

But now days? It is not that hard.

With the advent of SDR “Software-defined radio”

“Software-defined radio (SDR) is a radio communication system where components that have been traditionally implemented in hardware (e.g. mixers, filters, amplifiers, modulators/demodulators, detectors, etc.) are instead implemented by means of software on a personal computer or embedded system.^[1] While the concept of SDR is not new, the rapidly evolving capabilities of digital electronics render practical many processes which were once only theoretically possible.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software-defined_radio

Some one with even a modest amount of computer savvy.

And a small interest in Radio astronomy.

With a small budget and a few parts. Can build one in a week end.

Easy!

what you need?

A SDR. I am using a RTL-SDR dongel.

A computer with the right software.

I am using. Airspy SDR# (SDRSharp) revision 1811 software.

You can get this free.

Most SDR software is free BTW.

And something to use as a antenna.

This is where it can become a nightmare if you over think it.

I am going for a variation on a simple dipole antenna.

Using 2 slinkeys. and some coax to connect it with.

Very simple but very affective. Where I am limited on space.

It will work fine. It is a variation on the coaxial dipole antenna.

If it works only half as good as I hope? This will be fun.

Will be posting my findings here.

You ideas and input are appreciated.

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A screen shot

Still learning