The History Of Radar at EGCC continues with the integration of Manchester Approach, PATCRU, Lindhome and the procedural ATC sectors at Barton Hall consolidated as Manchester Sub-Centre which opened on 29th january 1975.
The technical side is covered by Derek Henry in an article entitled 'Sub-Centre opening Memories' which is accessible on the NW Region page of the NAT/CAA RSA website.
By the early 1980s, the approach controllers, (SCMA 1 and 2), used the Marconi S264H and Plessey 4011 as their main radars. These were displayed on 2 16'' primary only flouride tubes.
By this time the S264H had been re-located to a site close to the present location of the MCT DVOR, and I believe the ariel was that from the car-park mounted installation from EGLL.
The 4011 was a combination of AR1 electronics, and the Cossor ACR6 head, and was located on a concrete tower just NE of the northern portal of the R/W06 road tunnel. In the mid/late 1980s a modification was carried out to the radar and it became the EN4000, with improved coverage, but stange square blips.
Both these were available for 2nm SRAs, with blips from the 264 almost half-a-mile wide. The 4011 was a great radar, and would give a huge return from a Guppy on a base or if Jodrell Bank was facing north.
Approach also had the use of primary and SSR data from the Clee Hill AR5, and St Annes 264A, on a 'plot-extracted' or, (in the case of St Annes), 'scan-converted' display. This display was used by No.1 director (119.4), for initial identification and sequence planning, No.2, using the primary displays for final vectoring/SRAs.
Approach could operate using the area radars alone, using en-route terrain-clearance criteria.
The area controllers had the use of Clee Hill and St Annes data and could toggle between the two, on horizontal 22" and vertical 16" displays.
Although no Decca 424 was present at EGCC, support was provided to the 424 director at EGGP via the LIV RAD position. This was usually carried out from the TMA West flat top display, using a shared frequency, 119.85, and involved identifying traffic to the 'GP 424 controller, or sequencing if the 424 was affected by clutter. It was a function carried out by both area and approach-rated controllers and dated from the days of NATS having the Liverpool ATC contract. When EGGP became 430 equipped, the task was more of a 'ident' service, as EGGP approach had much improved coverage.
To be concluded............
The Steeleye Span question arose from Mooncrest's ident. It was the label that their first two vinyl albums were released on. A great band, saw them twice at Loughborough students union.
Very saddened to hear about Tim Hart Eric.
Last edited by ZOOKER; 1st Mar 2012 at 09:38.