Tid Bits

While watching PBS last night, 15 December 2017, there was a special over the scientific discoveries of Voyager I and II.  The program mentioned that Earth's Deep Space Network is still able to detect Voyager II's radio signals even though it passed through our solar system's heliospheric bubble on August 2015 at one-trillionth of a watt!  Now that is weak signal detection!

May I also commend to you the December 2017 article,"What Happens If China Makes First Contact?", by Ross Anderson in The Atlantic Monthly.  The article explores the commissioning of China's new, Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope in Pington.

The article explores China's commitment to doing SETI research along with some existential arguments that are quite interesting.

This radio telescope is 500 meters in diameter!  It will be interesting to see what new discoveries this world-class radio telescope will detect.  The article also explores China's future plans to put a radio telescope on the dark side of the moon.

November BARS Breakfast

Today, Sunday 5 November, five BARS members met at the TA Truck Stop restaurant in Troy, IL for our monthly breakfast.  Our December meeting will involve lunch at a winery in St. Charles County.  Herbert, AF4JF, Harold, KD9SG, Bob, N0IS, Zack, W9SZ and Ron, KO0Z.  Besides breakfast, today's gathering involved getting project ideas regarding 24 and 47 GHz.  Zack brought both of his systems.  Herbert is already on 24 GHz and well on his way towards 47 GHz.  Ron is still working on putting his 24 GHz station.  It was good seeing everyone this morning.

                                                       Herbert's 3.4 GHz transverter

                                                Nicely machined pipe cap filters                                            

                                         Herbert's 2.3 GHz transverter even though the pcb states 3.4

                   Pictured left to right:  Herbert-AF4JF, Harold-KD9SG, Bob-N0IS and Zack-W9SZ

                                   

                                                   W9SZ's 24 GHz transverter

                                                               24 GHz filter
                                                    

                                                              Zack's 47 GHz dish antenna

                                                             47 GHz dish feed

                                             Herbert-AF4JF and Zack-W9SZ in Troy, IL

                                                             Troy, IL water tower

                                            Troy, IL TA Truck Stop restaurant...Good food