We describe an "active" antenna system for HF/VHF (long wavelength) radio astronomy that has been successfully deployed 256-fold as the first station (LWA1) of the planned Long Wavelength Array. The antenna system, consisting of crossed dipoles, an active balun/preamp, a support structure, and a ground screen has been shown to successfully operate over at least the band from 20 MHz (15 m wavelength) to 80 MHz (3.75 m wave- length) with a noise figure that is at least 6 dB better than the Galactic background emission-noise temperature over that band. Thus, we met the goal to design and construct a compact, inexpensive, rugged, and easily assembled antenna system that can be deployed many-fold to form numerous large individual "stations" for the purpose of building a large, long wavelength synthesis array telescope for radio astronomical and ionospheric observations.
History
Publication title
Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Volume
124
Issue
920
Pagination
1090-1104
ISSN
0004-6280
Department/School
School of Natural Sciences
Publisher
Univ Chicago Press
Place of publication
1427 E 60Th St, Chicago, USA, Il, 60637-2954
Rights statement
Copyright 2012 The Astronomical Society of the Pacific