I'm putting together a very basic and simple ground station. I have a Little Wheel 70cm for an antenna, and a NICE ARR 70 cm gasfet preamp.
Now I want to mast mount of course the pre amp right at the antenna. And there are a lot of connections there. So was thinking of making some sort of a Radome to cover it all.
And was thinking something as simple as a Ice Cream Bucket.
Are there any "Plastics" I should avoid? I do not want to have any effect on the already weak RF. I want it to be as transparent as possible.
Thoughts?
Joe WB9SBD
I have done exactly that using a small plastic wastebasket with no issues. I would avoid black since it may have some carbon in it.
- Howie AB2S
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org From: nss@mwt.net Date: Fri, 22 Jul 2016 09:25:43 -0500 Subject: [amsat-bb] Radomes
I'm putting together a very basic and simple ground station. I have a Little Wheel 70cm for an antenna, and a NICE ARR 70 cm gasfet preamp.
Now I want to mast mount of course the pre amp right at the antenna. And there are a lot of connections there. So was thinking of making some sort of a Radome to cover it all.
And was thinking something as simple as a Ice Cream Bucket.
Are there any "Plastics" I should avoid? I do not want to have any effect on the already weak RF. I want it to be as transparent as possible.
Thoughts?
Joe WB9SBD
Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Two thoughts...
1. You can test the plastic for RF absorption by putting a sample of it in a microwave oven, along with a coffee mug of water (as a dummy load) for a minute or two. If the plastic stays cold, it's good.
2. Besides the RF angle, also consider a material that will stand up to the sun for however long you plan to have this deployed.
Good luck,
Greg KO6TH
Joe wrote:
I'm putting together a very basic and simple ground station. I have a Little Wheel 70cm for an antenna, and a NICE ARR 70 cm gasfet preamp.
Now I want to mast mount of course the pre amp right at the antenna. And there are a lot of connections there. So was thinking of making some sort of a Radome to cover it all.
And was thinking something as simple as a Ice Cream Bucket.
Are there any "Plastics" I should avoid? I do not want to have any effect on the already weak RF. I want it to be as transparent as possible.
Thoughts?
Joe WB9SBD
participants (3)
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Greg D -
Howie DeFelice -
Joe