[time-nuts] Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement

[Brooke Clarke]

Hi Ronald:

Some people interested in the WAAS aspect of GPS have used the common Ku band 
satellite TV dishes as reflectors and mounted a GPS antenna at the focus (where 
the Ku band antenna would normally be located.

The claim is that it works well even though the polarity of the reflected GPS 
signal is backwards.  You probably can get one of these antennas and it's mount 
for free since there's millions of them all over the world.  The neat thing is 
that you can have it sitting back on the balcony pointing at the clear opening 
(remember it's an offset feed so the dish needs to point much lower than where 
the dish faces.)

You would only have a partial sky view but if your balcony faces any direction 
except North, they you should get a lock some of the time.  Note there are no 
GPS sats within 30 degrees of the North or South pole so a GPS antenna pointed 
up to the North in the northern hemisphere will not see too many sats.

Have Fun,

Brooke Clarke
http://www.PRC68.com
http://www.precisionclock.com
http://www.prc68.com/I/WebCam2.shtml 24/7 Sky-Weather-Astronomy Cam


Ronald Held wrote:
> Since the moving option is out, perhaps I need to investigate whether
> I currently can get any inside or outside signal. Is ther3=e an
> inexpensive way given that I do not have any circuit assemble skills?
> The complex will allow dishes as long as the are completely inside the
> balcony(I speculate that it is at the behest of the local cable
> company). I do not recall seeing any dishes on building in my complex.
> If I can get a signal inside or outside, what then?
>                                                Ronald