The Jamesburg Earth Station
Very high geekdom --
from their website:
The Jamesburg Earth Station in Cachagua Valley, California ( about 20 miles S.E of Monterey )
This facility went into service in 1969, just in time to carry the Moon landing live to the world. COMSAT owned and operated this high-capacity earth station, and provided all forms of overseas communications via satellite between the U.S. and points all around the Pacific Rim. This antenna, taller than a 10-story building, is located in the Upper Carmel Valley.
This facility was closed in 2002, and sold to a private investor. The new owner is cooperating with a group of Ham Radio operators to find a new use for the antenna, which may include Radio Astronomy, educational or Deep Space applications.
Very cool -- they were able to get the pointing computers back online with the original software and have bounced signals off the moon. Very cool use of technology.
Hat tip to
BoingBoing
Posted by DaveH at April 22, 2007 5:38 PM