Shack

The shack is located at the very bottom of the bunker, almost 45 metres below ground.  This deep, the temperature is a constant 7 degrees Celsius inside the shack, regardless of outside temperature.  Being deep underground, much of the groundwater seeps into the bunker, making the air very humid.  There are images of the rest of the bunker as well as a video tour.

The main HF station
The main HF station
G7UVW operates while G8OCV logs
David, G7UVW, operates while Chris, G8OCV, logs
Peter, G0IAP, operates while Chris, G8OCV, logs.
Peter, G0IAP, operates while Chris,G8OCV, logs.

The room next door is usually used for VHF operation when we are located inside the bunker, and the computer performs QRSS grabbing and APRS reception when the shack is unattended.

VHF Room
VHF Room

The antenna is a 160 metre doublet on the side of the bunker’s communication mast.  The mast is 50 metres, with our antenna about 30 metres up as an inverted-vee.  To one side, the antenna slopes away into the forest; the other side is tied to an air-raid siren held aloft on a large metal post.

Bunker antenna mast
Bunker antenna mast, before doublet fitted
Aaron, VK3FAHB, prepares to scale the mast
Aaron, VK3ABX, prepares to scale the mast
Kevin, M0TBX, erecting the 160m doublet on the tower.
Kevin, M0TBX, erecting the 160m doublet on the tower. Colinears for 2/70.

From the mast, the feeders run back into the bunker radio rooms via the ventilation shaft/emergency exit tunnel.  Below we see some heliax cables running to the ground surface.

First stage of the climb
First stage of the climb
Level between two stages
Level between two stages
Looking down the first half of the rise from the flat level
Looking down the first half of the rise from the flat level
Second stage of the climb
Second stage of the climb

Where possible, members like to operate from the surface of the bunker, and take part in special events and activities, as well as using the surface space for field days. We like to get the big toys out too!

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