February 1, 2016 The KPGO Signal Chain integration team arrived at KPGO on January 18 and immediately inspected the frontend hardware and tools, as well as the personal protection equipment necessary for operating safely in the antenna frontend environment. The team then proceeded to installation, integration, and verification of the frontend subsystem. The visuals below illustrate some of the subsystems of the assembled frontend such as the positioner, payload, hub electronics, vacuum pump, uninterrupted power supply, compressor, post-dewar electronics sled, and the monitor and control infrastructure. The frontend installation began with the attachment of the signal chain/feed cone interface ring, then an installation of the hoist trolley to enable the insertion of the frontend positioner (FEP) middle subassembly, until four tie rods could secure the hub end, and the signal chain/feed cone interface ring at the other end. The frontend payload was put on the rail extensions using the caddy designed to mate with the frontend positioner system. Two lifting vehicles were used in order to install the Helium compressor. The man-lift brought team members up to the hub above the mounting platform, then the forklift lifted the compressor with tag lines well away from the suspended load, finally the manlift was used again to help the team fasten the compressor to the platform after it was lifted in place. This 180 degree panoramic shot of the frontend equipment inside the hub was taken after full cabling and He lines attached. The post dewar electronics sled is now attached. In the photo on the right the frontend payload has moved down the feed cone to the focused position and the hub electronics box is open for access to the MCI hub computer.
