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World War Two / Re: RAF AMES 504 Dingli Cliff Malta
« on: Friday 21 September 12 21:32 BST (UK) »
My name is Gordon Rolls and I was NCO i/c Radio Relay at Dingli but based at RAF Il-Qortin, Nadur Gozo from Feb1966 until August 1968 and yes it was located in its own building a little away from the other sites on Dingli. I cannot remember too much about the Dingli end as I also had two J/T's who used to stay on Malta.
An earlier post mentioned the reason that RAF Il Qortin closed because of a problem with something in Paris ?. Not the reasom I'm afraid. RAF Il Qortin opened in the late 50's with two distinct experimental systems. The traffic route ( 5/7 Unit ) was the first to use E.D.C. (Error Detection and Correction). The system for transmission was called F.P.I.S ( Foreward Propogation Ionospheric Scatter ). Using the "F" layer of the Ionosphere (Remains roughly stationary) the idea was to use low VHF frequencies (Just under 40MHz) to overcome the problems of the HF range being overcrowded. The link being to RAF St. Lawrence on the Isle of Wight. The plan being to shoot up a lot of power and hopefully enough of that reflected off the "F" layer would reach the other end. The system was placed on the coast at both ends to avoid interference from buildings etc. The reason Nadur, Gozo was chosen rather than a place on Malta as the original plan was to have a further link from Malta to Cyprus. The Radio Relay equipment to Malta was in place as was all the ducting etc to install this next part of the system. Then along came satellites and the whole idea was cancelled with Il Qortin closing early in 1969.
Incidentally, I also knew Tony Abela from a second tour in Malta at Benghaisa Transmitters
One other reason why I posted is that I am also trying to find out about the reflecting station at RAF Wardija for an old friend.
If we can help each other please get back to me
Regards
Gordon Rolls Nadur,Gozo.
An earlier post mentioned the reason that RAF Il Qortin closed because of a problem with something in Paris ?. Not the reasom I'm afraid. RAF Il Qortin opened in the late 50's with two distinct experimental systems. The traffic route ( 5/7 Unit ) was the first to use E.D.C. (Error Detection and Correction). The system for transmission was called F.P.I.S ( Foreward Propogation Ionospheric Scatter ). Using the "F" layer of the Ionosphere (Remains roughly stationary) the idea was to use low VHF frequencies (Just under 40MHz) to overcome the problems of the HF range being overcrowded. The link being to RAF St. Lawrence on the Isle of Wight. The plan being to shoot up a lot of power and hopefully enough of that reflected off the "F" layer would reach the other end. The system was placed on the coast at both ends to avoid interference from buildings etc. The reason Nadur, Gozo was chosen rather than a place on Malta as the original plan was to have a further link from Malta to Cyprus. The Radio Relay equipment to Malta was in place as was all the ducting etc to install this next part of the system. Then along came satellites and the whole idea was cancelled with Il Qortin closing early in 1969.
Incidentally, I also knew Tony Abela from a second tour in Malta at Benghaisa Transmitters
One other reason why I posted is that I am also trying to find out about the reflecting station at RAF Wardija for an old friend.
If we can help each other please get back to me
Regards
Gordon Rolls Nadur,Gozo.