Any idea what these strange looking aerials are up Box Hill?

Everything technical about radio can be discussed here, whether it's transmitting or receiving. Guides, charts, diagrams, etc. are all welcome.
Post Reply
User avatar
teckniqs
proppa neck!
proppa neck!
Posts: 3176
Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2014 11:37 am

Any idea what these strange looking aerials are up Box Hill?

Post by teckniqs » Sun Mar 28, 2021 7:50 pm

Does anyone have any idea what these aerials are for on the two outer towers (far left and far right) ???

....They appear to have 4 dipoles in each direction "double stacked" and look very similar to an Ofcom direction finder which was situated up at Werneth Low golf club near Manchester.

I'm pretty sure they are for direction finding does anyone know what are they for? :whistle

Image

User avatar
teckniqs
proppa neck!
proppa neck!
Posts: 3176
Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2014 11:37 am

Re: Any idea what these strange looking aerials are up Box Hill?

Post by teckniqs » Sun Mar 28, 2021 9:27 pm

Someone I know thinks they might be something to do with Air Traffic Control or Aviation Beacons, any ideas?

User avatar
Zozo
tower block dreamin
tower block dreamin
Posts: 256
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 9:33 am
Location: 3rd rock from the Sun

Re: Any idea what these strange looking aerials are up Box Hill?

Post by Zozo » Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:55 pm

I tried to find the "Ref No." but it's unlisted for some reason. Must be "Top Secret" :D

EDIT Here's the GR Number "TQ194513" if someone else wants to try finding out what they are, and do.
Tower X2.png
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Give me a AM transmitter with things that glow any day.

User avatar
teckniqs
proppa neck!
proppa neck!
Posts: 3176
Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2014 11:37 am

Re: Any idea what these strange looking aerials are up Box Hill?

Post by teckniqs » Mon Mar 29, 2021 2:15 am

Hmmmm well now I really do want to find out what they are!

....Hopefully someone on here might know, or I might email the picture to that Ringway guy from Manchester and see if he has any ideas.

User avatar
mpx
no manz can test innit
no manz can test innit
Posts: 249
Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2019 9:49 am

Re: Any idea what these strange looking aerials are up Box Hill?

Post by mpx » Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:06 am

The size of the elements could be Airband. At a guess, configuration phased omnidirectional and two masts possibly for diversity switching, or one for each side of duplex.

Mr.S
ne guy
ne guy
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 3:04 pm

Re: Any idea what these strange looking aerials are up Box Hill?

Post by Mr.S » Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:43 am

That's the ATC link between LGw and LHR.

User avatar
Zozo
tower block dreamin
tower block dreamin
Posts: 256
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 9:33 am
Location: 3rd rock from the Sun

Re: Any idea what these strange looking aerials are up Box Hill?

Post by Zozo » Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:48 am

Mr.S wrote: Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:43 am That's the ATC link between LGw and LHR.
Would this be Analogue or Digital link repeater?
Give me a AM transmitter with things that glow any day.

User avatar
reverend
no manz can test innit
no manz can test innit
Posts: 235
Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2020 12:03 pm

Re: Any idea what these strange looking aerials are up Box Hill?

Post by reverend » Mon Mar 29, 2021 5:30 pm

It's most likely ATC site. The top single antenna is the transmit antenna and the four around each edge of that are, as you rightly suggest, combined for direction finding which has all kinds of uses from extra situational awareness of aircraft location to correlating with radar information to ensure that any transmission from an aircraft tallies with its approximate position. They can also be used to direction find any interference on the ATC channels.

Rev
if it ain't broke, keep tweaking

Post Reply