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Build Your Own DSN Station

INTRO PAGE
(1) WHAT YOU'LL NEED
(2) DOWNLOAD PARTS SHEETS
(3) ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
(4) ABOUT YOUR MODEL

Last Step: Add the Counterweight and Subreflector

(In DSS construction, the counterweight, which is part of the assembly known as the elevation wheel, was installed temporarily as soon as the alidade was ready.)

Assembling Counterweight
ASSEMBLING
COUNTERWEIGHT
  • From Parts Sheet D, cut out the three pieces of the COUNTERWEIGHT. Take the long rectangular piece, and curl it by pulling between pencil and thumb, so it forms a semicircle about 5 cm in diameter.

  • Place this piece edgewise onto the unprinted side of one of the other COUNTERWEIGHT, centering up the semicircles. Move the curled rectangle out to the edge of the flat piece. Apply a bead of glue inside and let dry.

  • With the printed side facing up (out), glue the other flat COUNTERWEIGHT piece down on top of the curled edge to make a sandwich. Align the flat pieces. Let dry.

  • Counterweight done
    COMPLETED
    COUNTERWEIGHT
    If necessary, trim off any flanges protruding beyond the curled mid-section of the COUNTERWEIGHT, using scissors.

  • Straighten the four "legs" and stand the piece on its legs to check if level. Snip off tips of legs as needed to make it stand straight and level. Don't remove much!

  • Remove the DSS from its base, rotate the main reflector down to the horizon, and set the face of the reflector down atop a small drinking glass. Prop so that the alidade doesn't make it fall over.

  • Counterweight done
    COUNTERWEIGHT
    GLUING
    Dip the COUNTERWEIGHT's four "legs" in white glue.

  • Fit the COUNTERWEIGHT down through the ALIDADE, straddling the UPPER PERISCOPE, until the glued tips contact the back of the REFLECTOR CENTER. Center it using the waveguides and markings on back of the reflector for references.

  • Use a bamboo skewer if necessary to add more glue.

DSS Subreflector
DSS QUADRAPOD
& SUBREFLECTOR

NOW FOR THE SUBREFLECTOR

View this stage of DSS construction.

  • Return the DSS to its base. Rotate the reflector to point straight up to zenith.

  • From Parts Sheet D, cut out the four parts of the QUADRAPOD.

  • OPTION: Print another copy of Parts Sheet D on lightweight paper, cut out and spray-glue QUADRAPOD printed structure to the unprinted sides of the first set. This will provide structure detail to see from any viewing angle.

  • Quadrapod
    BUILDING
    QUADRAPOD
    Score for folding on the dashed lines connecting the small lengthwise side panel that extends along each QUADRAPOD leg. Crease and fold this slim panel to provide stiffness to the legs.

  • Lightly score and fold up the marked square at the apex of each QUADRAPOD half. Apply a little glue to the top of one square, and set the other half's square on top. Align and squeeze the glued surfaces together.

  • Insert and glue the two small rectangles, printed side out, onto the top of the assembly's apex, to complete the four sides of a box. Let dry.

  • Setting legs
    SETTING
    QUADRAPOD LEGS
    Grasp the top of a leg with long-nose pliers and twist it until the leg is protruding out from the corner of the "box" at the apex. Repeat with each leg.

  • From Sheet E, cut out the SUBREFLECTOR. Smear a little white glue on the printed triangle, and pull the edges together across the wedge-shaped gap to make a shallow cone. When dry, blunt the cone by pressing it against your work surface, crushing the cone's apex.

  • Invert the QUADRAPOD on your work surface. Apply white glue and set the SUBREFLECTOR down onto the base of the QUADRAPOD's apex as shown.

  • Subreflector gluing
    SUBREFLECTOR
    PLACEMENT
    Set the QUADRAPOD down inside the main reflector, so it stands on its legs atop the REFLECTOR CENTER. Two legs need to align along the elevation axis, that is one leg should be directly above each ELEVATION PINTLE. Glue down at least one leg to the REFLECTOR CENTER. Let it dry, then position another leg and glue it, repeating until all four legs are squarely set in place.

  • This completes your 1/250 scale model of a 34m BWG DSS.

Subreflector Done
QUADRAPOD & SUBREFLECTOR
INSTALLED
Constructing the DSS


Click below to build your 34m BWG DSS 1/250 Scale Model.

INTRO PAGE
(1) WHAT YOU'LL NEED
(2) DOWNLOAD PARTS SHEETS
(3) ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
(4) ABOUT YOUR MODEL


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