Tidbinbilla Tracking Station

Sunday 17th March

Despite the clouds, our colourful Toranas stood out brightly for today’s run – A look back in Time for the Big Loop in the Brindies – started at Kambah, south to Tharwa Country Store, west to Tidbinbilla Deep Space Tracking Station, back north to the Cotter/Uriarra and ended at Kambah Inn for lunch. The wet and winding roads were fun and an awesome photoshoot at the “Dishes” – these still working Satellite Radio Antennas were built in the same era as our Toranas (late 60’s, early 70’s). When operations began in 1964, the 26 meter Antenna: DSS 42, also helped to support the Apollo Missions. The Big Guy – Deep Space Station 43 – constructed started in 1969, the 64 meter antenna became operational in 1973 – was used to track radio signals from spacecraft as they went deeper into space and included the Voyager missions. DSS 43 was upgraded in 1987 to 70meters. Even today, the 70-metre antenna is the largest steerable parabolic antenna in the Southern Hemisphere.
Will def return on a sunny day and when the Dish is pointing the other direction.