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Projects
2-m Circularly Polarized Antenna (2002-2004)
(2002-2003)We have been working diligently on this 2-m antenna to allow us to contact the International Space Station (ISS) and use for other space communication.
It hasn't been easy but we are getting closer and closer. We started working on it last October. Mainly it was design and then figuring out what kind of materials to use. We decided on copper elements (because we couldn't find aluminum the right diameter) and PVC pipe. In the picture to the right you can see the elements we made. We also covered them with clear enamel to prevent oxidation. At the same time we were doing this we were drilling 1/2" holes at specified spacing in the PVC pipe for the elements. Our biggest problem was getting them to line up correctly. It took us two tries before we got it right.
(2003-2004) We are still cranking away on this antenna. It was quite a task to take on for the club. We are looking at testing it soon though. The plan is to take it up to the roof of the EE Building and hook it up to a Network Analysizer to see how it looks. Since we don't have a chamber on campus, it's the best we can do. Cross your fingers and hope it works the first time! We have to wait for a warm spell to do our testing.
20-m Beam Project (2004)
Watch for pictures of us re-mounting our 20-m beam antenna! It was taken down in the mid 1980's for building renovations on the roof. We're finally putting it back up again on January 31, 2004!Susan Gasper