I think those above are in slight error, I believe that a "standard" overhead join is at 1000ft above circuit height, it just happens that that is usually 2000 ft, but not always. You also can legitimately make an overhead join in the USA, it's just not the preferred option.
Always watch out for local procedures, such as join at 1300 ft (White Waltham) and one or two places where the lack of deadside requires a downwind descent.
One thing that often gets forgotten also in these days of radio is that airfields have signal squares. An overhead join if you are non-radio for whatever reason, gives you a chance to look at the signal square and get runway in use, circuit direction, etc. etc. I did a non-radio OHJ at Old Sarum a while ago with an ATPL friend who had to admit that he couldn't remember what any of the signals mean - I suppose that they don't get used much at LHR!
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Last edited by Genghis the Engineer; 18th Apr 2002 at 11:37.