LOFAR: Lessons from its design and construction

LOFAR is a new radio telescope with 40 stations in the Netherlands and a further 8 in Germany, France, Sweden and the UK. It operates in the 30–240 MHz frequency range using unique and innovative techniques, many of which will find their way in future telescopes such as the SKA. With the construction of LOFAR almost complete we look back at its design and construction as well as the ongoing commissioning phase, and draw some conclusions on both successes and disappointments encountered along the way.