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Primaluce Lab SPIDER230 2.3m Amateur Radio Telescope
with RAL10PL Receiver and EQ6 Mount
NOTE: Delivery time is about 10-15 days from the order date. In fact we pre-install and test all components of
the radio telescope before delivery.
Objects that make up the Universe emit a lot of electromagnetic waves at different frequencies which are,
almost all, filtered by Earth atmosphere. However radio waves pass through unhindered and can be captured
by amateurs astronomers, too, thanks to SPIDER230. This radio telescope was developed by PrimaLuceLab
to be the first instrument for amateur radio astronomy to allow everyone to approach this fascinating science
with simplicity and an approachable cost with a single, all-in, high-performance product.
An amateur radio telescope with large 2,3 meter diameter parabolic antenna
The SPIDER230 amateur radio telescope uses the WEB230 antenna, a mesh 2.3-meter diameter parabolic
antenna designed to offer a large diameter with the lowest possible weight. It weighs much less than a normal
1.5 meters diameter full-surface model in respect to which it offers a better resolution capacity (due to greater
diameter) and a lower wind sensitivity (since the surface is perforated). The reflecting surface of this antenna
(the primary reflector) is composed of an aluminum mesh with 2x2 mm squared holes for optimum reflectivity
of radio waves with frequencies up to 12 GHz. Mesh material is positioned and installed by hand by our
technicians in order to obtain a parabolic surface as accurate as possible (within the limits of the mechanical
support). The result is a superior quality mesh parabolic antenna that offers a higher gain and a more precise
parabolic shape.
Designed to be used with equatorial mounts
The SPIDER230 amateur radio telescope is designed to use with computerized equatorial mounts already
used by amateur astronomers in normal optical telescopes. These mounts offer, a high load capacity and
pointing/tracking precision at a low price. We supply the SPIDER230 with an N-EQ6 SynScan mount but you
can install our WEB230 antenna on different equatorial mounts with at least 25 kg load capacity and
Losmandy dovetail (the same used by many telescopes) using it just like a normal telescope. For the correct
operation of the radio telescope, the equatorial mount is not installed on the tripod (which often does not have
sufficient rigidity) but on a separate column (which we provide with the SPIDER230): in this way the parabolic
antenna, while moving, never faces the impact risk against the underlying support.
Designed to work with a RadioAstroLab RAL10PL receiver
Our amateur radio telescope is designed to work with the RadioAstroLab receivers: this model is provided
with a RAL10PL Total-Power receiver working at 11.2 GHz with a Ku band feeder and high gain 4106C LNB.
RAL10PL was developed to bring amateurs to radio astronomy in order to record the most intense radio
sources in the sky and offers high sensitivity and signal stability at an affordable price.
RAL10PL is a special version designed specifically for use with the Spider230. In fact it allows the remote
control of all operating parameters that can then be set directly in RadioUniverse providing control software:
gain, offset and integration time. It also features an integratedthermal stabilizer system in order to minimize
the gain drift of the receiving system, optimizing the instrument stability.
Alignment optical finder for mounts
Computerized equatorial mounts require (for their proper functioning), to be aligned to the stars in the sky. For
this reason, we have developed a special finder bracket with a optical finder that is installed on
the counterweights shaft and that allows you to point this radio telescope to the same area of the sky "
viewed" by parabolic antenna. So, when you turn on the radio telescope for the first time and you want to align
it to the sky, you can use this finder to point the stars. In order to store the alignment you can use the mount
"parking" function: turning on the radio telescope, Spider230 will then correctly point to objects in the sky also
during the day. You can then use the finder in order to verify the correct pointing of the radio telescope during
normal use.
The finder bracket is equipped with 6 screws with knobs in order to to adjust precisely the position of
thefinder in respect with antenna. Along with this, we include a high quality and durability sunscreen glass by
Thousand Oaks. The filter is inserted in front of the finder when using the radio telescope during the day.
Equatorial mounts support device
Our equatorial mounts support device (patent pending) allows you to install the WEB230 antenna on any
equatorial mount (with Losmandy dovetail and load capacity of at least 25 kg, ie. EQ6 type). Thanks to two
counterweights sliding system with protection against accidental drops, you can get a perfect balance even in
declination axis for maximum tracking and automatic goto performances of the mount. Without counterweights
the radio telescope would be completely biased towards the front (pecause of the weight of the primary
reflector and LNB + illuminator group with support rods) and therefore could not properly point and track
objects in the sky.
A special system of rear tie rods increases the rigidity of the structure while minimizing the deformation of
such a big diameter parabolic dish.
RadioUniverse control software
Included with every SPIDER230 radio telescope, our RadioUniverse software allows you to control the
antenna position and acquisition parameters of RAL10PL receiver. This way you can not only record
radiometric data coming from the sky but also transits or radio-images of radio sources in the sky you want to
study. A window shows the entire sky with the position of the main radio sources with respect to stars and
constellations.
SPIDER23 radio telescope connects to control computer via a single network cable (Ethernet). The mount
and the receiver send the data to the control electronics contained in waterproof box with the receiver. The
data is then converted and sent to the control PC via a single network cable that can be up to 100 meters.
RUviz processing software
When you want to record the faint radio waves coming from radio sources outside of the Solar System, the
data processing is critical. That's why we designed RUvizsoftware (RadioUniverseVisualizer) which allows you
to import data captured by RadioUniverse and process them in a very simple and fast way. In this way it is
possible, starting from the registration of several consecutive transits of the sky area that you want to analyze,
to create radio maps of faint radio sources such as Cassiopeia A and Taurus A.
RUviz uses special algorithms in order to to reduce the signal drift caused by the change of the antenna
pointing. Other features allow you to minimize the drifts due to variations in ambient temperature.
A complete and functional instrument:
- WEB230 parabolic dish with support device for equatorial mounts
- N-EQ6 SkyScan equatorial mount with Synscan and 2 counterweights
- Alignment optical finder system on mount counterweight shaft
- 50mm finder, 8 magnifications, with glass solar filter
- Column for installation on a concrete base and EQ6 flange connection
- RAL10PL receiver thermal stabilized and with waterproof box
- Ku-band feed-horn
- High gain and stability Ku-band 4106C LNB
- RadioUniverse control and RUviz processing software
- User and installation manual (english and italian)
NOTE: SHELL dome not included in radio telescope price
Fast and secure shipping with UPS
Do you want to buy the telescope but you can not visit us in our laboratory in Pordenone or you do not have
available a transport car large enough to contain it? No problem! We designed Spider230 to be easily
removable and can be divided into 6 sturdy boxes: in this way we can ship it via UPS. Each carton box is
composed of a thick outer carton and several internal carton boxes which divide various internal components.
The instruments are well protected for a prompt and secure shipment.
All the elements that make up the instrument are pre-installed then you have just to follow the instructions to
install it in a short time and get started right away!
Reliable results
Spider230 is designed to record radio waves coming not only from strong sources such as the Sun or the
Moon, but also from more distant objects, that until now were studied only by professionals!
Thanks to its high sensitivity, it is possible to record radio waves coming from weak objects such as
Cassiopeia A (supernova remnant), Cygnus A (radio galaxy) or Taurus A (M1, supernova remnant). Thanks to
the advanced features of Spider230 and RadioUniverse software, for each object you can get different results:
radio-images, transits or continuous monitoring of a single point.
Why not use a full dish?
Full dish parabolic antennas ensure, with same diameter of a mesh model, a higher gain so, in theory, they
would be ideal choice, but they are also much heavier (a full 1.5 metre diameter aluminum parabolic antenna
weighs no less than 20 Kg, much more than primary reflector of our mesh parabolic antenna that weighs only
10 kg). So, on the same mount (eg an EQ6), you can install our WEB230 2.3 metre parabolic antenna or a full
dish smaller than 1.2 - 1.4 metres diameter. What does this mean?
1) Our parabolic antenna sain is slightly higher so it gives a better ‘sensitivity’ to whole system
2) Our dish has a greater diameter then a better resolution capability: it allows you to record finer details
3) The full parabolic dish also reflects infrared that heats LNB (so placed on the focal point) and therefore
increases electronic noise. Our mesh parabolic antenna does not reflect infrared so it does not heat the LNB.
ATTENTION: The equatorial mounts are not waterproof so you need to cover the radio telescope with a
special protective structure (which must also protect parabolic antenna from strong wind). So we developed
the SHELL 4.2 meter diameter dome that allows you to protect the radio telescope keeping it permanently
installed in the field. In this way, the instrument will always be aligned on the sky: mount can maintain both
polar and stars alignment (thanks to the parking functionality). The dome also serves to protect the radio
telescope in case of wind: when it exceeds 25 km/h, it is necessary to keep the radio telescope pointed at the
zenith (the vertical) and closed inside the dome.
The SHELL dome is opened and closed manually, it has a protective waterproof Nylon cover and, unlike
normal domes for astronomy, when you open it frees the whole sky and is therefore perfect for the radio
telescope. SHELL provides a rigid metal frame with arched supports made of aluminum, a structure anchored
to the ground with 14 metal supports and polyethylene partition wall and a system of quick coupling and
release of the dome for a quick opening or closing.
Buy it from our distributor in the United Kingdom:
365Astronomy
3 Meadow Close, Worthing BN11 2SF
Tel: 020 33 845 187
Mobile: 079 1278 4737
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.365astronomy.com