Site, power and protection
Choosing the installation site is fundamental to the success of the project. The final location of the facility is still being evaluated: sites with low radio-electric noise will be preferred.
Site requirements
- Enough free space to move the dish (for the 240 cm dish, suitable space is a necessary condition).
- Mechanically stable ground.
- Low level of radio interference (RFI).
- Access to electrical power and to the data network.
- Safety for educational and outreach activities.
What the SRT teaches us
- Away from buildings. Keeping the telescope as far as possible from buildings, computers and electronics reduces interference.
- Clear sky. As few obstructions to the sky as possible; a nearby tree, however, can act as an absorber for calibration.
- On a roof. A non-penetrating base with ballast is an alternative to digging, but the roof must be checked to see that it can bear the load.
Power
- Low consumption, about 100 W (roughly 876 kWh a year).
- An uninterruptible power supply protects instruments and data.
Protection and maintenance
- Lightning and static electricity: a discharge path on the feed (shorted stub) and a good earth connection for the installation.
- Weather: watertight boxes for the LNA and joints, UV-resistant cable ties, labelled connectors.
- Routine maintenance: periodic checks and replacement of parts subject to wear, such as outdoor cables and connectors.