Unfortunately, the 300-foot telescope collapsed under its own weight in 1985 due to the deterioration of a gusset plate in the support structure. However, most of the other early facilities are still operational today. Technological advancements in electronics, cryogenics, and computing has enabled these telescopes to be upgraded to the point that they perform as well as their more modern counterparts.

With the development of high speed computers, the data acquisition and archiving process can be carried out at a much higher rate than was previously possible. New software programs have been developed which allow the collected data to be reduced more quickly and effectively. Improved computer control systems enable the telescopes to point at and track an object with a high degree of accuracy.

Some telescopes have been outfitted with new reflecting surfaces, with lightweight aluminum panels replacing the heavier steel panels, or wire-mesh being replaced by solid surfaces. Such is the case with the Parkes 64-meter; its original wire-mesh surface has been replaced by a solid surface out to a diameter of 44 meters, enabling the telescope to detect higher frequency radio waves.

Cryogenically cooled receivers, introduced on the Green Bank 300-foot telescope, are now commonly employed. Keeping the receiver cold reduces system noise introduced by the heat of the electronic components, which would otherwise overwhelm a faint incoming signal.