Testing of a Small Radio Telescope

This lecture covers the process of building a small radio telescope (SRT) as a stepping stone towards constructing the largest radio telescope in Switzerland. The project involves conceptualizing the structure, realizing the stand and dish, and testing all electronic components. Due to production delays, the focus shifted to testing the electrical parts by building an even smaller radio telescope (ESRT). The testing setups evolved from wood prototypes to 3D printed parts, allowing for more precision. Various tests were conducted, including assessing pointing accuracy and consistency, as well as tracking satellite trajectories in real time. The successful outcomes of these tests pave the way for future groups to implement the tested components into the actual ESRT.