East Anglian Amateur Radio ObservatoryProject Overview

By Jason Williams & Jonathan Blay

East Anglian Amateur Radio Observatory

Our Mission is to establish and provide a working Radio Observatory to

encourage young people to pursue STEM subjects and careers.

East Anglian Amateur Radio Observatory

Everything is ready to go!

We already have the following:

Registered charitable company Enthusiastic professional teamExtensive specialist equipment

Solid research programmeAcademic collaboration network

Project website (www.eaaro.org.uk)STEM outreach ‘Ear to the sky’

University Observatory SiteBespoke Radio Control Room Modules

Hydraulic Gimbal Mounted Dish Antennas

On schedule to commence operations this summer!

The Concept

• EAARO founded by Jason Williams• 22 Years experience in technical engineering• Keen to contribute his knowledge &

experience to benefit science & technology• Idea to encourage younger generation to

follow in a STEM related career• Currently funded from his own pocket

History

• September 2011 Original Idea• January 2012 EAARO began looking for a suitable site to build

their Radio Astronomy Observatory• March 2012 Discussions started with the UOH with a view to

using Bayfordbury as a suitable temporary home• April 2012 Jason Williams became a STEM Ambassador• May 2012 East Anglian Amateur Radio Observatory became

incorporated as a charitable company with Companies House in the UK with the help of Andrew Lutley.

• December 2012 An agreement in principle was reached with UOH pending further authorisation.

History

• January - June 2013

• University of Hertfordshire, Bayfordbury site confirmed• SETPOINT HERTS has invited EAARO to exhibit at the Big Bang Eastern Fair in July

2013• Professor Paul Davies (University of Arizona) contributes his skills and experience

to the project by joining as an adviser• Jeffrey Lichtman (Radio Astronomy Supplies) offers his support to the project• Jeff Lashley (National Space Centre, UK) joins the EAARO Team as

Science/Engineering Adviser• Professor Mike Garret (General Director, ASTRON) joins the team as an adviser to

the project• Tom Lyons (ESERO European Space Education Resource Office & National STEM

Centre) invites EAARO into discussions regarding ESA (European Space Agency) backed support and resources.

• Jonathan Blay became a STEM ambassador

Key Objectives• To observe and explore the universe through the medium of

Radio Astronomy. • To enhance and support Science, Technology, Engineering

and Mathematics (STEM) teaching and learning in the East of England.

• Promotion of Radio Astronomy to a wider audience within the

local community. • Establishment of a working radio observatory providing a level

of access to all who are interested in the universe and how we observe it.

Key Objectives

• Assisting the scientific community with their own research • Working alongside University of Hertfordshire to provide

additional resources that can co-exist with current observatory facilities

• Carrying out useful research in the field of Radio Astronomy

Technology in the design and engineering of Telescope Systems.

• To be a source of inspiration and excitement to anyone with

an interest in the observation of the universe.

EAARO Team

• Jason Williams• Jonathan Blay• Jeff Lashley

Advisors

• Prof. Paul Davies, University of Arizona• Prof. Mike Garret, Astron, Netherlands• Jim Sky, Radio Sky Publishing• Jeff Licthman, Radio Astronomy Supplies• Tom Lyons, ESERO, National STEM Centre• Dr Anna Scaife, University of Southampton

Proposed Observations

• Solar Observations • Solar Flares• Geomagnetic Storms• Coronal Mass Ejections • Jupiter Observations• Jupiter’s Storms

• Meteor Observations• Meteor Scatter

Proposed Observations

• Hydrogen Line Observations • Galactic Radio Imaging• Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence • Ionospheric Observations • Future Observations • Pulsar Observations • Black Hole Observations

Planned Research Programme

• Electrostatic effects of Martian dust storms• Solar Coronal Heating by Electromagnetic

reconnection• Behaviour of Space Debris in Low Earth

Orbit – Kick Sat Project

Professional Grade Equipment

Signal Analysis GPS Time Synchronisation

Transmitters & Receivers(PC Controlled)

Data Processing

Antennas/Detectors Low Noise Amplifiers

Equipment HighlightsReceiversIcom R7000 (x3)Icom R75UKRAA VLF ReceiverRacal RA1772 Receiver - GPS lockedVLF Up Converter

Signal AnalysisHP Agilent 5335 Frequency Counter (x2)HP Agilent 5328 Frequency CounterHP 8552/8552 Spectrum AnalyserPAR Lock-In Amplifier

Data ProcessingHP Proliant Server DL380 (x3)HP Proliant Server DL360 (x2)HP Proliant Server DL320 (x2)HP Proliant Server DL145Dell Optiplex PC (x8)Packeteer Network AnalyserHP Procurve SwitchCisco Pix FirewallHP KVM (x2)PICO 6 Channel Data Logger

Time StandardRapco 1804M GPS Locked Time Standard

TransceiversYaesu FT-847 Satellite TransceiverKenwood Trio 711E Satellite TransceiverKenwood Trio 811A Satellite Transceiver

Antenna’s/DetectorsSmall Radio Telescope (SRT)UKRAA Twin axis MagnetometerE-Callisto Solar spectrometerPortable Microwave radio telescopeCosmic Ray detectorMeteor detectorPhilips 42GHz HornMeteor camera5 element yagi VHF anntenna7 element yagi VHF AntennaQuad Helix VHF Satellite AntennaQuad Helix UHF Satellite AntennaLarge VLF Loop Antenna

Low Noise AmplifierSeveral Custom Designed LNAs

EAAROProposedSite Plan

Design by Jeff Lashley, National Space Centre UK

EAAROProposedAntennaFarm

Design by Jeff Lashley, National Space Centre UK

VLF Antenna – Example

Antenna Mast with Yagi Antennas – Example

Kicksat Deployment - CubeSat

Bayfordbury Site – University of Hertfordshire

Bayfordbury Site – University of Hertfordshire

Bayfordbury Site – University of Hertfordshire

BDI ‘ALPHA’

MODELECTRONIC WARFARESYSTEM

ELECTRONIC COUNTER MEASURES

De-commissioned afterGulf War

BDI ‘ALPHA’

MODELECTRONIC WARFARESYSTEM

ELECTRONIC COUNTER MEASURES

De-commissioned afterGulf War

BDI ‘ALPHA’

MODELECTRONIC WARFARESYSTEM

ELECTRONIC COUNTER MEASURES

De-commissioned afterGulf War

BDI ‘ALPHA’

MODELECTRONIC WARFARESYSTEM

ELECTRONIC COUNTER MEASURES

De-commissioned afterGulf War

Zac Manchester

University of CornellKick Sat Project