Mount for radio- and photo-astronomy

[Steve714]

I have an interest in both photoastronomy and radio astronomy and would like to purchase a mount that would allow me to do both if possible. From my limited reading on this subject, it would seem that a good EQ mount is a must for photoastronomy. I note that Primalucelab use the NEQ6 Skyscan EQ mount for their Spider230 2.3m dish antenna RT but would, if possible, like to avoid the additional counterbalance system they have and couple the dish directly to the mount. I wonder if it is feasible to do this? The advantage would be that the mount counterbalance would actively balance the dish antenna but of course the dish direction would not be correct and I think that there could well be problems with Goto and tracking. Is there any way around this? Any advice would be very welcome.

[k9wis]

I would like to hear more about your radio astronomy plans..

 

Brian K9WIS