Pentrebach (licence 464) is shown as a transposer in the Ofcom list of self-help relays so the use of split rx and tx may reflect the difficulty of finding a location which gave the required coverage and a good signal from Wenvoe. However a more likely explanation is that, given the relay is an active deflector, a decent distance is required between rx and tx antennas to prevent feedback.
Although hidden in the hillside on the outer edge of Pentrebach, this self-help stands in a hisioric landscape. The unassuming tarmac cycle path that runs between the two parts of this site follows the route of the Merthyr Tramway (also known as the Penydarren Tramway) which carried iron from Dowlais, the 9 1/2 miles to Abercynon where it was loaded onto barges and further carried to the docks at Cardiff. It was along this tramway that on February 21st, 1804 Richard Trevithick ran the first steam powered locomotive, hauling 10 tons of iron, and thereby winning his employer, Samuel Homfray, a 1000 Guinea bet.
Since publication, the original images have been reprocessed and now reveal much greater detail. |
