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How to Turn an Old Satellite Dish into a Radio Telescope

-- | March 6, 2016

Question: I am a high school teacher and three of my students are trying to build a radio telescope with an eight foot satellite dish. What would your recommend?  — John

Answer: Great student project!  There are quite a few places were you can get step-by-step instructions on how to turn an old satellite dish into a radio telescope.  I have two favorites.  The first is Mike Brown’s description of how he turned an old satellite dish strapped to his house into a radio source detector.  The second is an Amateur Radio Relay League article on the subject.  Both have detailed instructions on how to complete the project, which should be suitable for your student’s needs.  Good luck!

Jeff Mangum