After many inquiries from the HAM community for updating the IceConeFeed design parameters a new version will be released soon is now available (purchase here). Key features are optimized helix dimensions to achieve a lower SWR and also reduce the LNB shadow in order to increase reception gain. See below the comparison between the 3.5…
L-Band WebSDR
The new 3D printed L-Band antenna is now live feeding a web SDR that can be received here. You can interactively operate the L-Band feed which is currently located at JN58UA and pointed at Alphasat 25E. Lots of data streams, aircraft telemetry etc. are visible. Select a center frequency from receiver drop down menu low…
Hail storm damage
The severe hail storm around the Bari area / Italy on Aug 19 destroyed car windows and Ice Cone Feeds like this one. Should this happen to you, please order a replacement radome or re-print one yourself.
Sun spot spotting
Sun spot activity currently ramping up. Time to take out the telescope and go for some early evening sun spotting from the balcony. A note of WARNING and DISCLAIMER: only use certified sun filter foil, I am using Seymour Solar Filter, grade ND5, available here. Be responsible and operate on your own risk. Telescope equipped…
IceConeFeed v2 review by TechMindsYT
Check out the review of the #IceConeFeed v2 for #QO100 from @TechMindsYT here:
Recensione in Italiano
IVAN, IS0DCR, was so kind to do a review of nolle.engineering including QO100 IceConeFeed for all Italian OMs, enjoy:
3D Printer Stepper Motor Failure
This is definately a first. Seeing all kinds of issues with 3D printers, I never had a stepper motor failure. I started to get failed prints experiencing massive layer shifts like this accompanied by crash detections: Manually moving the y-axis already revealed the problem, dissassembling the drive belt showed that the stepper motor was getting…
IceConeFeed Installation Tips
Some stations have quite tight clearances between the Iceconefeed reflector and the LNB arm. In order perform a fit check before installation you can use a full scale drawing and quickly make a template (2D printer ;-). Note: there are two templates to chose from, see below, for IceConeFeed v2 and DIY. The v2 version…
3D Patch Update
The 3D printable patch feed for #QO100 is in the making. A design change from the rectanglar to elliptic has been found to be more efficient and achieving a better axial circular polarization. This is a prelimiary current simulation at 2.4Ghz. The direction of rotation will change from RH to LH.
Tors South Norway Rove
Tor (LA9XGA) was on tour DXing from Southern Norway being QRV on various Oscars. His QO100 mobile station is sporting the Ice Cone Feed v2. I took a chance and worked him on QO100 one evening. Images by courtesy of Tor (LA9XGA)