Hi Nigel,
In theory, yes, the Sun is a known signal generator and can be used for this purpose, if you've got a good enough receive system to pick up the noise, and have the right test equipment to measure it. (Recall the original question started around an Elk-class antenna system, which I do not believe qualifies.)
Logistically, however, you are up on the roof or tower, screw drivers and wrenches in hand, and likely your instrumentation is not. How are you going to know when you have the right position? Using the shadow method - I actually use the shadow of my 2.4 ghz feed on the BBQ Grill dish as my guide - takes me all of a few seconds, and I'm consistently within a few degrees of perfect. Why not go with the easy method?
Greg KO6TH
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:17:10 +0000 From: nigel@ngunn.net To: ko6th_greg@hotmail.com CC: n0jy@lavabit.com; bhowell@mail.utexas.edu; amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: rotator questions
How about aiming for maximum receiver noise? That should be even more accurate.
Greg Wrote: and then adjust the antenna so the shadow falls directly down the antenna boom.
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