BRYANT LABS
Menu


Radio Astronomy and SETI



Believe it or not, it is possible to do Radio Astronomy at home. Especially if you consider Radio Astronomy to include all frequencies from "DC-to-Daylight". But even if your idea of Radio Astronomy is searching for deep space objects at microwave frequencies, you can put together a complete radio telescope for a few grand, assuming you can scavenge a Big Ugly Dish (BUD) from a neighbor who once used it to get Satellite TV.

You can also do interesting work at lower frequencies, probing changes in the ionosphere which are affected by both solar activity and also possibly by Gamma Ray Bursts from deep space


VHF and Above

The advent of inexpensive Software Defined Radio (SDR) USB dongles has completely changed the way amateurs do Radio Astronomy.  Devices like the External link opens in new tab or windowSDRplay rsp2

combined with free software allow you to receive signals from the Sun, Jupiter, or deep space.


Capabilities


Bryant Labs is completely outfitted to build and test anything we've designed. Our goal is to be completely self sufficient and to help you fill all of your new product design and development needs.

Whether we just need to assemble a PCB, or build an enclosure for a prototype, all of the tools are here. We have a complete mechanical workshop as well as the engineering lab you would expect.


Here's a partial list of the tools and equipment available:


  • More computers than we really need, running Windows and Linux
  • Multiple Schematic, Simulator and PCB layout software packages
  • Programmer/debugger dongles for PIC, ARM, MSP430, JTAG
  • Power Supplies from 0 to 300 Volts
  • 1KW Variac
  • HP 8569B 10MHz - 22GHz Spectrum Analyzer
  • Siglent SDS2304X Mixed Signal Oscilloscope
  • TrueTime XL-DC GPS Time and Frequency Receiver with Rubidium Oscillator
  • HP 5328A 500 MHz frequency Counter (referenced to Rubidium Standard)
  • HP 8657A RF Signal Generator (referenced to Rubidium Standard)
  • Siglent SDG1025 Arbitrary Waveform Generator
  • Four Channel Logging Thermocouple Meter
  • A Smattering of Fluke Meters
  • Drill Press
  • Table Saw
  • Way too many hand tools, even antique block planes



Copyright 2018 BRYANT LABS


close lightbox