© Dr.

Steve Rapp 2009

 Topics
•Electromagnetic Spectrum
•Gathering Signals; Radio Sources
•How a Radio Telescope Works
•What is RFI; RFI Links
•Monitoring RFI
•Quiet Skies Goals
•How to Measure RFI; RFI Detectors
•Demonstrations
•Spectrum Allocation Links
•On-line Forum

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

The Electromagnetic Spectrum Covers
a Broad Range of Wavelengths

Hertz

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

 Gathering In
The Signals

A replica of the Jansky

Telescope sits outside
the dormitory at NRAO.

• First cosmic radio waves: Karl Jansky, 1932

• First dish-shaped radio telescope: Grote Reber, 1937
• Radio Sources: certain regions of the sky seem to
emit more radio energy than their surroundings

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

 Radio Sources Include:
• Stars, nebulae, galaxies, quasars, pulsars,
the sun and its planets, as well as clouds of
molecules between the stars.
Grote Reber built the
first dish type antenna
in 1937 to detect radio
sources in the Milky
Way Galaxy. This is a
picture of the original
telescope that Reber
built for about $4000. It
is located at the NRAO
in Green Bank, WV.
© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009
 How a Radio Telescope Works
• Radio waves are reflected from a parabolic
shaped metal surface. Optical telescopes
(reflectors) use a glass mirror to reflect light
waves. (Demo)

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

Radio Waves Are Reflected To
A Focal Point

Radio Waves Radio Waves

Parabolic Shaped Dish © Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

 How a Radio Telescope Works
• The larger the reflecting surface, the greater
the amount of energy gathered.
• Radio waves are focused on a feed horn.
• Radio signals converted to electrical current
in amplifiers (front ends).
• Currents sent to control room and amplified
by backends.
• Computer processing.

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009
 What is Radio Frequency
Interference (RFI)?

•RFI is any electromagnetic signal not of

cosmic origin.
•Any thing that produces an electric arc
produces broadband radio frequencies.
•Radio astronomy is very susceptible to RFI
from active services (i.e. satellites, cell
phone towers, etc.) especially since radio
telescopes receive signals on the order of
109 times weaker than signals from active
services.
© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009
 Learning About RFI
• Local Interference Studies:
The Quiet Skies Project
• Green Bank Interference Group:
http://www.cv.nrao.edu/~rfisher/ipg.html
• Radio Astronomy and Interference:
http://www.nrao.edu/index.php/learn/radioastronomy/
http://www.nrao.edu/index.php/learn/radioastronomy

• Radio Frequency Interference and Telescopes:

http://www.nrao.edu/index.php/learn/radioastronomy/
http://www.nrao.edu/index.php/learn/radioastronomy

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

Monitoring Local RFI

Corrosion within the

Cable TV Line
Connector can allow
RFI problems.

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

Chasing Down Power Line RFI

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

Any Electrical Arc Can Cause RFI

Faulty insulators
may leak RFI

Arcing may occur

in the wire wrap.

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

Faulty Lightning Arrestors And Power
Transformers Can Produce RFI

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

Major Frequencies Invaded: 800, 900, 1420, 1665 MHz

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

Monitoring RFI at the GBT

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

 Cell Tower Inspections
• Harman, WV

Checking out the antenna direction.

We checked GPS coordinates,
power levels, and cell tower
estimated heights. © Dr. Steve Rapp 2009
© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009
The Quiet Skies Project Goals
• Students will measure interference levels at
their schools and in their communities;
• Reduce and transmit their data to an NRAO
or a Linwood Holton Governor’s School data
base; http://www.gb.nrao.edu/php/quietskies/
• Use online spectrum allocation data, and
local information to determine possible
causes of interference in their area;
• Analyze the complex trade-offs between
radio astronomy's need for quiet skies, and
other commercial, and non-commercial uses
of the spectrum and share their insights with
others.
© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009
Anatomy of a Quiet Skies Detector
 How Do You Measure RFI
• RFI is measured in dBm.
• dBm is an abbreviation for the power ratio in
decibel (dB) of the measured power
referenced to one milliwatt (mW).
• One dBm is equal to 1 mW while -10 dBm is
equal to 100 µW.

• The Quiet Skies Project Article, published in

the October, 2008 issue of The Science
Teacher:
http://www.pageout.net/user/www/s/t/steverapp/

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

Using the Quiet Skies Detector

• Directions:
• Data Table:
• Things to Accomplish:
• Assessment:

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

 Radio Average Elevation
Frequency Power (feet/ Latitude Longitude
Location (MHz) (-dBm) meters) (d, m, s) (d, m, s)

NRAO Green Bank 800 42 2769/844 38.26.02N 79.49.05W

Radio Quiet Zone 900 43 2769/844 38.26.02N 79.49.05W

100 ft from 40 ft
1420 40 2769/844
scope 38.26.02N 79.49.05W
Lauren, Ben,
1665 40 2769/844
Adam 38.26.02N 79.49.05W

J.J. Kelly High 800 34 2454/748 36.98.01N 82.58.03W

Football field 900 35 2454/748 36.98.01N 82.58.03W

Mobeen
1420 31 2454/748
36.98.01N 82.58.03W
1665 34 36.98.01N 82.58.03W
2454/748
Date Sheet Available Online at:
http://steverapp.pageout.net/page.dyn/student/course/web_links?course_id=118047
© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009
Quiet Skies RFI Demonstrations
• PC and portable radio tuned to an AM
channel- cover in foil- any difference?
• Battery connected to two wires, bring
wires into contact next to tuned AM
radio.
• Loosen coaxial cable from TV- bring
portable radio close by and tune to FM
station.
• Email your report about your
experience with any of the above.
© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009
 Spectrum Allocation Links
• Allocations in the U.S.:
http://www.jneuhaus.com/fccindex/spectru

• U.S. Frequency Allocation Chart:

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/allochrt.

• Radio Astronomy Frequencies:

http://www.astron.nl/craf/threats.htm

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

On-Line Forum for Anecdotal Data

http://steverapp.pageout.net/page.dy

© Dr. Steve Rapp 2009

Thank you for your attention! © Dr. Steve Rapp 2009