Sydney Terminal Area Radar

[Adam P.]

This photo (http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss64/Groover158/096.jpg) (pinched from Ray P here (http://yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=6346)) is missing the great big red dish that used to sit on top of that concrete pole.

I'm assuming the giant golf ball thing next to it has something to do with its absence... anyone?

[JamesW]

Yes, I think they might be replacing it but not completely sure. The guys in the TCU said that there is a new radar that was setup somewhere out near bankstown which I guess is acting as the TAR atm. It also was having some problems interigating transponders when my mate was visiting the TCU..Maybe someone can shed some light on the absence of the original TAR at Sydney?

[Nigel C]

I'm amazed it's taken so long for this to be posted here.;)

Yep, they're replacing the old TAR with a covered new TAR. The golf ball should be either up now, or going up early this week, depending on the winds. The new TAR will still look pretty much like the old one, and under the golf ball it will still spin around.
I believe there may still be some months before the new TAR is operational even after the golf ball is installed.

[Adam P.]

So I was the first to notice and I'm not even in Sydney anymore???

That could also explain a TAR-like object that was spinning merrily away on a hill near what used to be Hoxton Park airport as I drove down the M7 a few months ago.

I think Airservices is doing a progressive upgrade of radars around the country; it's probably all part of that.

[Paul Hunter]

Our TAR at the moment is located at Cecil Park.

Golf Ball should be teed up next week.

Regards.

[Bernie P]

Saw them lifting it up on Friday, in horrid winds, and I thought it was an installation of a 'Doppler' for BOM!!!

[Nigel C]

The golf ball has now been teed up. If I'm not too tired I'll post some pics when I get home tonight.

[Mario Facchini]

Nigel beat me to the joke !!!

Yes the golf ball is all teed up, it actually looks a bit Odd.

Anywho, here is a pic i took from work, it is as close as i could get.

[Nigel C]

The lift went quite smooth by all accounts, and it really didn't take that long from initial lift to being secured in place.

Shots of the lift today.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/TAR1.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/TAR2.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/TAR3.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/TAR4.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/TAR5.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/TAR6.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/TAR7.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/TAR8.jpg

[D Chan]

that looks so much like a giant golfball... or a vanilla icecream cone? :D

[Nigel C]

We did suggest to the guys doing the work that they should have started construction earlier and painted a few panels black for use on the FIFA World Cup bid.:cool:

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Good one Nigel:D Just out of curiosity where were these pictures taken?

The angle gives some clue but not sure.

[Nigel C]

Hi Peter,
They were taken from straight above Shep's Mound ;)

Cheers

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Thought so, lucky fella:cool:

[Mick F]

What is the benefit of having the radar enclosed by this ball?

I know Darwin has the same setup, but I always thought that was the protect the radar from cyclone's.

Mick

[Nigel C]

I think it's just weather protection Mick, although they have installed a new set of radar heads too (the photos show just the primary dish before the ball is lowered, but they secured the secondary surveillance stuff inside the ball before it was craned into position).

I understand they're installing quite a few of them around the country.

[Stephen Brown]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radome

[Mick F]

Although, what would be a lot cheaper, would be to mandate ADS-B......

When will our country move forward and stop going backwards?

Mick

[Brenden S]

Why the dome anyway?

[Nigel C]

Weatherproofing.

[Darren T.]

...shot from Kurnell.

[JamesW]

Although, what would be a lot cheaper, would be to mandate ADS-B......

When will our country move forward and stop going backwards?

Mick
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has published amendments to Civil Aviation Orders that make fitment and operation of approved ADS-B avionics equipment mandatory on, and from, 12 December 2013 for all Australian aircraft operations at, or above, FL 290 (unless CASA has authorised otherwise).

It will take time, but it is coming :D

[Mick F]

Am aware of that James, however it should be for ALL aircraft, not just those who operate above FL290.

Mick

[Nigel C]

What's the cost of buying/fitting an ABS-B unit Mick? Is it cost prohibitive for the industry as a whole?

[Mick F]

Not exactly sure Nige, without doing any extensive research.

However..... the cost of installing 1 RADAR site, is said to be roughly the same cost as installing ADS-B receivers to cover the entire country.

So, while an ADS-B transponder may be more expensive than a normal transponder, the cost to the industry in terms of airservices charges, should be less. Whether or not ASA lower their fee's if they were to go entirely to ADS-B...... that remains to be seen. Unlikely.

So overall, probably more expensive Nige.

The benefits to the area's outside current RADAR coverage are immense though. I went out to Blackall today in Western QLD. I was identified only a few minutes after take off once I was high enough to be line of site to Longreach. Reduced seperation would make things a lot easier on some of the higher traffic routes, rather than being held down because of the large seperation requirements for procedural airspace.

Mick

[Paul McFarlane]

Found this blog (from the US) that refers to ADS-B costings and more..

ADS-B for General Aviation (http://ads-bforga.blogspot.com/2010/10/cost-for-new-1090es-ads-b-out-avioncis.html)

[Sarah C]

A few shots - it is certainly distinctive