NICEro - Amateur Decametric RadioAstronomy Observatory

Updated: September 2009

The NICEro Amateur RadioAstronomy Observatory is located near Nice (France) in Berthemont-les-Bains, (Latitude 44°3' N, Longitude 7°19' E, Altitude 900 meters) in the Alpes Maritimes .

This observatory participates to the NASA Radio JOVE Project. monitoring Solar and Jovian activity on 20.2 MHz and 22.4 MHz.

Equipment

Antennas

2-elements Yagi antenna for 20.2 MHz , using 25 meters of RG-213 cable .

MOXON antenna for 22.4 MHz, using 8.3 meters of RG-8 cable

Both cables are connected to an antenna switch box to easily connect any antenna to any receiver

Receivers

Icom IC-R75, IC-R70 and a Software Defined Receiver (PERSEUS), The latter is used as a wideband spectrum analyzer, it can
show a 1600 kHz wide RF spectrum in a waterfall display and record it for later processing it is used to see the shifting in frequency of Jovian and solar bursts.

Others

RF-2020S calibrated noise generator. A calibrated noise generator is needed for quantitative measurements of the intensity of the bursts. It is connected to the antenna switch box.
Radio-SkyPipe Pro software fom Radio-Sky Publishing to stripchart the observations and to record the audio.
Radio-Jupiter Pro software fom Radio-Sky Publishing for the predictions of Jovian storms.
SpectraVue software for the analysis of the specrograms produced by the Perseus receiver

Two programs are here available for free Download

To calculate the Flux Density of the Sun or Jovian bursts ( FluxDensity Calculator )
To calculate the length (electrical or physical length) of a coaxial cable and the input or output impedance ( Transmission Line Calculator )

You will also find in this site:

Link to the Radio JOVE Jupiter Storms Predictions for USA (Eastern, Central, Mountain and Hawaii Time Zones) and Central Europe Time Zone.
Guidelines for a good observation
Documentation on the Solar and Jovian observations since year 2000

The Sun is also oserved on 12GHz using a very simple and inexpensive equipment.

This picture shows the small back-yard where the 2-elements Yagi (in the background) and the MOXON antenna are installed. The small dish is used for Sun observations at 12GHz.

(click the photos to enlarge)

Two views of the Yagi , Look at cow "under" the Yagi.

If you want to come here and spend few days in the calm, you will find a nice "gite rural" not far from the observatory
You can also enjoy the Mercantour National Park, one of the most beautiful National Parks centred in the Alpes Maritimes in France.
have a look at Spacebetween