ASA Mount Boyce Radar

[VK2XQ]

The Sydney Airport approach radar at Mount Boyce, between Blackheath and Mount Victoria, in the Blue Mountains of NSW hasn't been operating for over one month now.  I drive past the site on a regular basis.

The BOM Weather Station at Mount Boyce, in the same compound as the radar, is still operating.

No mention on the Air Services Australia web site as to why the radar is either decommissioned or not working.  Possibly it has something to do with the rationalisation of NavAids in relation to GPS navigation?

Any air buffs know what the Mount Boyce situation is?  Thanks...Jack VK2XQ.

[VK2ZIW]

I would have thought the Mount Boyce site is essential as it's on the western side of the range. Servicing planes landing
at Bathurst, Orange, Cowra, Parkes and anywhere in the shadow of the mountains.

Alan VK2ZIW

[VK2XQ]

Alan VK2ZIW:  Mount Boyce ASA radar looks like it's retired, still not operating when I drove past yesterday (Saturday 14th April).  Going to Blackheath today so will drive up to the site and have a closer look.  The BOM Weather Station at the same site still in operation though.

It appears that Mount Boyce has succumbed to the recent ASA reforms in NavAids, which resulted in the retirement of many Australian NDB's on the LW band just over a year back.

Jack VK2XQ QF56dm.

[VK2KRR]

Being replaced by ADSB tracking I would think.

https://flightaware.com/live/

[VK2XQ]

Alan & Leigh: Went to the Mount Boyce ASA radar site this morning and was lucky to meet up with the ASA technician in attendance on site.

He said the Mount Boyce radar is in "caretaker" mode and has been switched off due to new reforms regarding air navigation etc being trialed/introduced.

The system is running on "stand-by" mode and he calls in to check that the air conditioner is working etc.  

Should the new system trial be a success then the radar will be dismantled in the future, the BOM weather station however, will remain at the site.

Jack VK2XQ.