24th February 2010
After fifty years of near continuous operation, GB3VHF has now closed permanently from the site at Wrotham.
However, the ‘phoenix will rise from the ashes’, as the beacon will be relocated in the next few months to a new site that is only 4kms ENE of Wrotham.
The beacon will be relocated to Fairseat in Kent (JO01EH) and will employ an antenna system ( 3 element yagis ) that will be identical to what was used at Wrotham, with the beam directions (288 & 348 degrees) exactly the same and the antennas of a similar height above ground level. This will mean that coverage will be nominally the same as that enjoyed in the past from the old site.
By using LDF550 coaxial cable for the feeder, the existing ERP can be maintained. With the new site at Fairseat being of a similar height to Wrotham and with a good take off, I am hoping that you will notice little change in signal strength.
Currently suitable steelwork to mount the commercial grade yagi antennas onto the tower is being manufactured by the rigging team. This essential steelwork has to be used, as the antennas and support structure must survive all weathers for many years. Once this steelwork is ready then the antennas and feeder will be installed at the first opportunity.
Obviously rigging will also be highly dependent on suitable weather and the work availability of the riggers. So the process may take some time so please be patient.
As you can imagine, the relocation of the beacon has come at a price, and rigging and other costs are high. I have been fortunate in that a number of items required have been kindly donated or supplied at a greatly reduced price by friends and colleagues, including the brand new Jaybeam 7049145 commercial grade yagis, and the Andrews LDF550 feeder and fittings.
The Ofcom licence for the beacon at the new site has already been obtained, so once the antennas at Fairseat are rigged, the beacon will appear on the air just a few days later.
The relocated beacon will be independently run and maintained, and will receive no regular funding from any organisation. If you would like to make a financial donation towards relocation and ongoing costs then I would be extremely grateful.
Donations can be made by PayPal to my e-mail address chris at g0fdz dot com, and all donations will be acknowledged. Please mark your PayPal donation as “GB3VHF donation”.
To those of you, who have already made a donation, please accept my grateful thanks and appreciation of your support.
I still have much work to do on the project, but rest assured I am working to commission the beacon at the new site as soon as practically possible.
I will give you further news on developments at the earliest opportunity.
Many thanks for your support and good DX
Chris Whitmarsh G0FDZ
Beacon Keeper GB3VHF
24th February 2010