Aerial at dusk

This photograph is a close-up shot of one of the low-noise amplifier (LNA) modules that is found at the head of each low-band array (LBA) aerial. This particular one is number #76, the number of which can be discerned in amongst the other code sequences on the bar-coded label.

Applying the labels

Once all the aerials are in place, they need to be labelled. The labels applied have a barcode, allowing field engineers to easily scan each aerial electronically. The aerial barcode identity is associated in a maintenance database with those of the LNA (low noise amplifier) and cables. From the control centre in the Netherlands, any signal can be traced back to identify the components used.

In this picture, Jacinta Delhaize applies another LBA label. Jacinta is a visiting student from University of Western Australia, currently based at Oxford University.