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THE TRANSMISSION GALLERY
SOUTH KNAPDALE
| Photos by Martin Briscoe | Page last updated: 2023-07-30 |
| South Knapdale was originally a BBC landlord site which entered service on 9-Jan-1976 to serve 2900 people. Channel 4 was added on 6-Sep-1985. It was also used as a link site receiving Black Hill UHF TV and relaying to Torosay on a SHF link. BBC FM radio was added in September 1980 on 89.3 / 91.5 / 93.7 / 98.9 transmitting with horizontal polarisation. It would have been very expensive to build a track to the site so it was decided to use a tracked vehicle as the modern equipment was so reliable that it would only need an occasional visit. :=) The building was constructed out of fibre-glass modules that were partially pre-wired and dragged up to the site on a sledge behind a large tracked vehicle. The concrete for the foundations was all taken up by helicopter. SnoTrak tracked vehicles were hired during construction, then a new one bought for maintenance team use. There are many stories about this vehicle! The engine frequently caught fire because of all the peat thrown up then drying on the engine so a fire extinguisher with plastic pipe to reach into the engine was always kept ready. The track guides needed checking frequently and usually there would be many missing. There were something like 24 tyres with pressure up to 70 psi that had to be checked and pumped up (by foot of course). Also each of these wheels had grease nipples to be greased then there was all the peat to remove from the tracks after use. |
| South Knapdale in 1975 when only access was by SnoTrak |
| South Knapdale in 1975 when only access was by SnoTrak |
| South Knapdale in 1975 when only access was by SnoTrak View towards Arran |
| South Knapdale in 1975 when only access was by SnoTrak |
| South Knapdale in 1975 when only access was by SnoTrak |
| South Knapdale in 1975 when only access was by SnoTrak |
| South Knapdale in 1975 when only access was by SnoTrak |
| South Knapdale in 1975 when only access was by SnoTrak |
| South Knapdale in 1975 when only access was by SnoTrak |
| South Knapdale in 1975 when only access was by SnoTrak |
| South Knapdale in 1976 when only access was by SnoTrak. Work was frequently needed on it! |
| South Knapdale in 1976 when only access was by SnoTrak. Running repairs! |
| South Knapdale in 1976 when only access was by SnoTrak |
| South Knapdale in 1976 when only access was by SnoTrak |
| South Knapdale in 1976 when only access was by SnoTrak |
| South Knapdale in 1976 when only access was by SnoTrak |
| South Knapdale in 1976 when only access was by SnoTrak |
| South Knapdale in 1976 when only access was by SnoTrak |
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