The HamBone

PAUL/ANCHOR: Retirement isn’t for everyone and that includes antennas - especially ones used by NASA for many of its historic space missions over the years. Graham Kemp VK4BB tells us about one historic antenna that’s gone back into service in Australia.

GRAHAM: Decommissioned almost 40 years ago, the 29.8 meter parabolic antenna at the site of Australia’s Overseas Telecommunications Commission in Carnarvon, Western Australia, will be reporting for duty again as part of a satellite-tracking system said to be of interest to the military.

Its return will follow a period of thorough refurbishing that includes some new paint, some new equipment to be installed – and the removal of some serious accumulations of pigeon droppings over the years. According to ABC News Australia, the refurbishment began last year.

The dish is the property of ThothX Australia, part of the private Canadian aerospace company ThothX, which bought it in 2022 in the hopes of offering it for use by military clients interested in having satellite-tracking capabilities.

This antenna is a veteran of many notable NASA missions, including the Apollo 11 moon landing. Although it is not yet ready for prime time again, ABC News Australia reported in December 2024 that the dish had received its first signal in 40 years, sent as a test from a geostationary object.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA, HACKADAY, ABC AUSTRALIA)