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To: Ron C.

Wandered through the photo album....very interesting “things” you have for toys.


40 posted on 09/25/2012 7:13:38 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska
"...very interesting “things”..."

Most of the "things" I work on are transmitters, receivers, modems, up/down converters, working with spectrum analyzers, data test sets and a dozen more pieces of electronic equipment, but those 'outside toys' - the antennas are quite a different kettle of fish.

Thankfully I don't have to 'fix' them. All I have to do is keep them tracking the satellites accurately. I used to do all of the yearly routines, oiling, greasing, and general maintenance. But I've passed that on to my new trainee. ~grin~

Items of interest about the 'big ones' - they are 32 meter antennas - about 105 across the face, and since they are sitting on top of about a 2 story building, the top edge is about 11 'stories' up there.

They weigh about 150 tons each, and are some of the most 'powerful' in terms of gain.. 64dB of gain built in. Hence they need very little power to operate - the opposite of what most people think.

They use about 3 watts of power - about what it takes to operate those small night-lights we plug into sockets in the bathroom and bedrooms at night.

53 posted on 09/25/2012 7:34:47 PM PDT by Ron C.
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