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Can the VLA Antennas Be Used as Transmitters?

-- Patrick | November 29, 2021

Question:

Hello, is it technically possible to use the New Mexico Very Large Array (or similar radio telescope arrays) as a transmitter to send out signal?
I’m aware the transmitter of the Arecibo Telescope had been used to transmit the Arecibo Message, however I’m not sure if other radio telescopes, such as VLA, have the same technical ability.

-- Patrick

Answer:

Yes, the individual antennas of the VLA can be used to transmit signals.  I am not aware of this aspect of the VLA antennas actually being used, though.

-- Jeff Mangum