[Elecraft] Used antenna - Arecio antenna collapses

[Edward R Cole]

Really a shame to see its demise.  It might not be re-built in Puerto 
Rico due to exposure to Hurricanes and encroaching civilization 
threatens the radio quiet area for useful radio astronomy.  Wonder if 
a new site might be chosen (someday)?

I copied the 432 MHz SSB signal from Arecibo using my 16-foot dish 
and a hastily made 432 feed.  I tried sending JT65 signals at 100w 
but never got a reply.

In my college years radio astronomy was one of my career choices and 
I even got an invite to do Master's study at Ohio State with Dr. John 
Kraus-W8JK (who built the "Big Ear" radiotelescope).  But was not to 
be - I moved to LA in Nov. 1968 to start work with Hughes Aircraft on 
military projects. (don't ask)

Later in 1972, I did some minor radio astronomy using a 26m dish at Goldstone.

A lot of neat science was done at Arecibo.  Always wanted to  visit 
(too late now).  I did get to see the Big  Ear about 3-months before 
is was torn down to build a golf course.

This where I could make a political joke (but won't).

73, Ed - KL7UW

Date: Wed,  2 Dec 2020 14:51:02 -0500
From: Bill Frantz <frantz at pwpconsult.com>
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Used antenna - Arecio antenna collapses

There are some interesting tidbits about Arecibo:

Joe Taylor, K1JT, or wsjt-x fame, did some of the work that lead
to his Nobel Prize at Arecibo. His also mounted an 'expedition'
in April 2010 to use the Arecibo Radio Telescope to conduct
moonbounce with Amateurs around the world using voice, Morse
code, and digital communications. [Wikipedia]

The Arecibo radio telescope was used as a powerful radar to
study other objects in the solar system. Things at certain
distances could not be studied because by the time the
transmitted signal reflected back, the Earth had turned enough
that the radio telescope was pointed in the wrong direction.

It's definitely a sad occurence. I sympathize with the people
who use black humor to handle their sadness.

73 Bill AE6JV


73, Ed - KL7UW
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