Overall Conclusion

The detection of extra-galactic HI signals from the Magellanic Clouds (LMC and SMC) at a distance of 160,000 ly is feasible for the citizen scientist radio astronomer.

Detection success of the Magellanic Clouds has been achieved with a 3 metre diameter re-purposed TVRO mesh dish (without tracking), combined with a cheap ($20) DVB-T dongle.

Detections of a much weaker targets (NGC300 and HVCs in the Magellanic Stream) have been unsuccessful - consistent with expectations.