History
Christmas Common is a US Air Force microwave relay station in the 'Digital European Backbone' network, which linked the EUCOM war headquarters at High Wycombe, Bucks (Daws Hill)to the Upper Heyford F-111 base. In 1990, $210,000 was allocated in the US Defense budget tot provide heavy security precautions at the site. The second site in the area - a short distance along the road - was among other things a microwave relay station used by the Civil Aviation Authority to relay radar to the air traffic control centre at West Drayton.
Christmas Common is a US Air Force microwave relay station in the 'Digital European Backbone' network, which linked the EUCOM war headquarters at High Wycombe, Bucks (Daws Hill)to the Upper Heyford F-111 base. In 1990, $210,000 was allocated in the US Defense budget tot provide heavy security precautions at the site. The second site in the area - a short distance along the road - was among other things a microwave relay station used by the Civil Aviation Authority to relay radar to the air traffic control centre at West Drayton.
The Tower is also a VHF site for Thames Valley Police Base Tx's.
The Explore
Well, I never thought I'd be posting in this section as I am not a big fan of heights but here I am. This was the third attempt as I bottled the first two about halfway up due to crippling vertigo. Fast forward a couple of years from the first attempt and I felt like it was worth a go again as I am much happier with height these days. @Bertie Bollockbrains very kindly offered to give it another go with me so massive thanks to him for giving up a day to have another crack at it! Anyway we arrived on site to be confronted with a brand new fence; once that was done with we went straight for the climb; although we did notice some new coax cable in the compound and a new cable running up the tower. Not to be deterred we made it to the top pretty quickly and found out that it was a VHF whip, which we decided to leave well alone. So, cameras out, pics taken and a quick climb back down again with a short stop for Bertie to get a specific picture... and we were back on Terra Firma.
No crippling fear, just elation and a rather urgent need for a pint, so off to the pub we went.
PIcs
Thanks for looking
The Explore
Well, I never thought I'd be posting in this section as I am not a big fan of heights but here I am. This was the third attempt as I bottled the first two about halfway up due to crippling vertigo. Fast forward a couple of years from the first attempt and I felt like it was worth a go again as I am much happier with height these days. @Bertie Bollockbrains very kindly offered to give it another go with me so massive thanks to him for giving up a day to have another crack at it! Anyway we arrived on site to be confronted with a brand new fence; once that was done with we went straight for the climb; although we did notice some new coax cable in the compound and a new cable running up the tower. Not to be deterred we made it to the top pretty quickly and found out that it was a VHF whip, which we decided to leave well alone. So, cameras out, pics taken and a quick climb back down again with a short stop for Bertie to get a specific picture... and we were back on Terra Firma.
No crippling fear, just elation and a rather urgent need for a pint, so off to the pub we went.
PIcs
Thanks for looking
