BUILD

 

BUILD INSTRUCTIONS:


The building process can be split into two parts. The first, “The Dish”, assembles the actual telescope. The second, “The Power”, is used to supply power to the signal strength meter. This part is required because normally the strength meter is attached to a satellite receiver, which supplies it with power. However, in our case, we want to telescope to work without a receiver – and so we must build a way to supply the meter with 12V of DC power.


The Dish


  1. 1.Put terminating resistors onto all but one of the LNB outputs. For my telescope, I had two LNB outputs – one of which I covered up (see below). The terminating resistors will help reduce signal loss.


                           


  1. 2.Insert the 4’ coaxial cable through the dish arm, then attach it to the open LNB output.


                           


  1. 3.Attach the LNB to the dish arm.


                           


  1. 4.To make the dish more maneuverable, shorten the mounting bracket. I cut mine off just below where it started to curve.


                               


  1. 5.Attach the mounting bracket to the mast (and tighten all screws).


                             


The Power


  1. 1.Cut off the end of the 2’ coaxial cable.


               
           


  1. 2.Using the X-Acto Knife, strip off about 2” of the rubber covering. Do NOT cut through the silver mesh though.


                                   


  1. 3.Comb and pigtail the silver mesh. Then remove the foil, leaving just the white insulation.


                                  
           


  1. 4.Cut off about 1” of the white insulation – exposing the copper wire.


                                  
                    


  1. 5.Connect one end of the inductor to the copper wire.


                                  


  1. 6.Connect the other end of the inductor to the red lead of the battery clip.


                          


  1. 7.Connect the pigtailed silver mesh to the black lead of the battery clip.


                          


8. Insert 8 AA batteries into the battery clip.


                           


  1. 9.Attach the 4’ coaxial cable, from the LNB, into the LNB terminal on the satellite strength meter.


                                


  1. 10.Attach the 2’ coaxial cable, from the battery pack, to the other terminal on the satellite strength meter.


                               


10.5 Attach the telescope to a Tripod mount, or a Lazy Susan (instructions for this are above).


                          


  1. 11.Study the Universe using your new homemade telescope!












 

MATERIALS:


    1 - 18-inch satellite dish with LNB and a mount

    1 - Satellite Strength Meter

    Terminating Resistors - number depends on empty LNB connections you have (I required just one)

    4’ Coaxial Cable

    2’ Coaxial Cable

    8 - AA batteries

    1 - 8 AA battery clip

    1 - 100 uH Inductor


    Optional - Satellite Dish Tripod Mount


               Alternatively one could mount onto a Lazy Susan. Instructions for this can be found at:

               http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/epo/teachers/ittybitty/procedure.html


TOOLS:


    Screw Drivers - Phillips and Straight

    X-Acto Knife or Scissors

    Electrical Tape