The ladder up to the Apex
Adrian R. making the climb to the VLA antenna Apex
John M. and Bob S. making the climb for the first LBR installation
in VLA antenna #25. Note safety harnesses - to be worn at all times.
Bob. S. showing a little more enthusiam than most
Lifting the LBR into place for lowering down into the barrel
GTX154039
John M. using his patented technique squeezing into the barrel
John M. installing the LBR and connecting cables - Ant. #19
John M. emerging from the barrel after another successful install
View of the VLA from the Apex
The LBR Receiver installed in Ant. 25
The LBR Receiver installed
in Ant. 19
Typical VLA antenna, 1 of 28
LBR receivers are located in the Apex structure
View of the Apex & dipoles from dish access door
VLA Ant. 25 -- the first to be outfitted with the LBR
Views of the P-band dipole (in center of subreflector) and the deployable 74 MHz dipoles in place
Co-workers urging the LBR installers (& photographer) on the Apex to jump!
Connecting 74 MHz dipole elements to balun
Connecting the support ropes to dipole elements and balun for lifting and holding 74 MHz dipoles in place
Connecting coaxial feed lines to the balun
Ready to lift dipole into place with the four support ropes
Connecting feed lines to Vertex Room RF connectors
Once dipole is in place, tying down support ropes
Dipole in place, aligned with P-band dipole and positioned for proper polarization
74 MHz dipoles in place, showing feedlines from balun
When things go wrong ...
Lifting dipole when support rope goes SNAP and breaks
(common problem)
Craig H. using his marlinspike skills to splice in new rope
Adrian R. trying to re-string support rope through eye-bolt
Finally (an hour later), 2nd try to raise the 74 MHz dipole
The LBR Receiver installed in Ant. 11
LBR Vertex Rm. connector plate
Inside Vertex Room
Cables to IF/LO and FE racks
LBR Vertex Rm. connector plate
Outside Vertex Room
Apex cables to the LBR
Apex Interface Board in the FE rack - powering the LBR
What's on this page?
Click photos to enlarge to 300 dpi
Page 2
NRAO/NRL Low Band Receivers
Gallery Page:
