Natural Resources CanadaGovernment of Canada
Satellite image of CanadaCanada Centre for Remote Sensing 
Tracking the satellites
CCRS antennas

At each of the CCRS receiving stations there are two antennas, each with a 10 metre diameter reflector. The large diameter allows for better reception of even weak signals.

Antenna

Concrete Base: elevates and stabilizes the antenna and contains prime power panels and heat.
Base Extension: further elevates the antenna and houses the power amplifiers.
Tilt Mechanism: permits 2.5 degrees of tilt to enable antenna to track near-zenith passes.
Elevation over Azimuth Pedestal: principal mechanism for pointing the antenna in elevation (vertical angles) and azimuth (horizontal angles).
Counterweights: balances the weight of the 10m reflector and feeds.
Downconverters: convert the data stream from the incoming X and S-bands (8GHz and 2GHz), to 375 MHz.
Reflector: 10m diameter, paraboloid made up of 24 solid-surface reflector panels made of spun aluminum; the reflector surface is heated to prevent the accumulation of ice and snow.
Sub-Reflector: a dichroic, meaning that it's partly reflective (for X-band frequencies that are reflected onto the X-band feed) and partly transmissive (for S-band frequencies); it is positioned at the focal point of the paraboloid.
X-band Feed: receives the focused X-band signal and contains Low Noise Amplifiers and filters to remove unwanted frequencies.
X-band Feed Extension: positions the X-band feed to receive the X-band portion of the signal as it is reflected from the dichroic sub-reflector.
Aircraft Warning Lights: to warn approaching aircraft of the presence of the antenna.
Lightning Rod: to re-direct lightning strikes away from sensitive equipment.


2006-09-03
http://www.ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca/resource/tutor/datarecept/c2p4_e.php