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This page has been compiled to tell the story of the two radio masts or towers on the roof of the Main Building of Aston University, and their prominence as a unique pair of structures on the skyline of Birmingham, UK . Their original purpose, in the 1960's, was to support a variety of experimental wire aerials which would hang horizontally between them. Such aerials were usually connected at the centre of their span into a sometimes bulky apparatus known as an Aerial Tuning Unit housed in a wooden shed on the roof, mid-way between the masts. The Laboratories in which the professional, experimental studies of Transmission, Reception and Propagation characteristics were undertaken, were then in the upper-most floors below. Later, for several years into the 1990's, these masts were used by the Aston Radio Society to support some of their amateur ("ham") aerials. Towards the end of its active years, that society occupied the room on the North Wing that has panoramic views over the Aston Expressway. From such a vantage point, its transmissions (bearing call-signs G3UOA or G8PGM) would often be some of the most prominent on the air. Today, these structures are completely benign having no aerials nor other radio equipment attached. Any visible 'wires' are, in fact, the wire-rope halyards used for pulling the aerials into place. |
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East Mast : March 23, 2006 ; 10.30 |
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If you have any relevant information, please make contact with .... Dr Peter Best, G8CQH email assisted by Dr Phil Cadman, G4JCP email |
These masts were designed by Clarence Stokes and
constructed by Dick Maxted of the Electrical Engineering Department
when it was in the Main Building complex "for the first time"!
The vertical pole sections, above the lattice frame, were designed and constructed to be telescopic and retractable into the lattice. However, for complete safety, they are now permanently secured in the extended position. |