SETI gets the Bird

A few months back we reported that Bird Electronic Corporation was celebrating the manufacture of its 300,000th Model 43 Thruline Wattmeter. This, with the fabrication of one of a kind special unit with a gold-plated finish.

The idea was to auction the unit off with the proceeds from this sale donated to a charity of the Winning Bidder's choice. But at the last moment an anonymous bidder picked up the gold plated meter and donated it and the proceeds to the SETI League.

According to Radio Currents Online, SETI League officials were surprised and pleased by the very generous donation of cash as well as the gold plated Model 43. In a press statement, SETI League president H. Paul Shuch, N6TX, said that the new meter will be used to monitor the operation of the groups Lunar Reflective Calibration Beacon. This is a transmission system that bounces microwave signals off the surface of the Moon to be received by radio astronomy facilities around the world.
(sourced to arnewsline)

Oh and this is SETI the search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence, not the copycat name SSETI involved in the attempt to put a satellite up for the European Community.

VK5MM Rob Topp.

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia