Gatwick - can someone satisfy my idle curiosity
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: in Cyberspace
Gatwick - can someone satisfy my idle curiosity
Declaration: I'm a wannabe and not a professional, hence the question below.
On Gatwick Road just south of the Airport there is a huge red and white radar antenna. On most other days it's stationary but on others it's rotating.
Does anyone know why?
Thanks in advance
V
On Gatwick Road just south of the Airport there is a huge red and white radar antenna. On most other days it's stationary but on others it's rotating.
Does anyone know why?
Thanks in advance
V
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 210
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From: escaped from NERC
This has been discussed before, on this thread -
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=15362
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=15362
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: west sussex
In short.
The big orange and white radar is a medium range 23cm radar It is known as the TSF and is a test facility for all the en-route HSA's around the country. i.e. major parts are tested in it before being classed as servicable. Thats why it is sometimes turning and somtimes not.
The one that abuts the airfield is a 10cm radar mainly used for TC purposes whilst controlling a/c's in and out of Gatwick. That's why it should be turniung all the time.
Hope this helps.
The big orange and white radar is a medium range 23cm radar It is known as the TSF and is a test facility for all the en-route HSA's around the country. i.e. major parts are tested in it before being classed as servicable. Thats why it is sometimes turning and somtimes not.
The one that abuts the airfield is a 10cm radar mainly used for TC purposes whilst controlling a/c's in and out of Gatwick. That's why it should be turniung all the time.
Hope this helps.
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: On the wireless...
I believe that the Central maintenance Unit at Spectrum House, which houses the Test Facility, may be due to re-locate in the near future. If so, does anybody know where the new radar head may be relocated?
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: west sussex
I was under the impression that spec house was closing and the tsf would not be moved. The talk is that the test facility will move to an outstation.
Mr talkdownman sounds as though he knows a little more that first meets the eye
Mr talkdownman sounds as though he knows a little more that first meets the eye
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: On the wireless...
Yeah, well, Mr talkdownman does know a little more that first meets the eye 'cos he has a vested interest in a feed from said test facility should it be located where initially envisaged, but it has gone frustratingly quiet.........
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: west sussex
This would need to be a non op feed. A new one on me. Please enlighten me if you will.
There has always been rumour that the TSF could/and would be used in earnest but when push came to shove spares and cost made this impracticable.
Personally I can see the old girl having the legs cut off and being sold for scrap. The new TSF being at one of our sites further north utilising an existing set into a dummy load.
Time will tell but they need to get there !!!!! together.
There has always been rumour that the TSF could/and would be used in earnest but when push came to shove spares and cost made this impracticable.
Personally I can see the old girl having the legs cut off and being sold for scrap. The new TSF being at one of our sites further north utilising an existing set into a dummy load.
Time will tell but they need to get there !!!!! together.
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,901
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From: On the wireless...
My base is/was prepared to accept it, no nimbys. We thought we were gonna get the feed in exchange for the site but it has all gone 'orribly quiet. I understood from my Chief Tels man that it wouldn't be a 23 but a Raytheon ASR-10. We are getting desperate for a new feed, our Decca 424 is somewhat old! In fact I understand that there is one in store at the Science Museum, Wroughton, which is younger!
Joined: Nov 2005
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
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From: Wildest Surrey
TDM:
I've always been of the opinion that your base, being the highest airfield in the southeast, would be an ideal place to site a radar serving HI, HL, VO and LF from a single head. But an ASR10 is c..p for SRA's, unless you get the threshold speed low enough; ours is set at 50kt and it's too high.
I've always been of the opinion that your base, being the highest airfield in the southeast, would be an ideal place to site a radar serving HI, HL, VO and LF from a single head. But an ASR10 is c..p for SRA's, unless you get the threshold speed low enough; ours is set at 50kt and it's too high.
- Well thats going to upset Heathrow, Gatwick & Stansted in a few years time!
Can't wait.
