Author Archives: Hugh Golding

Tower PAA10 – Bedford

This originally caught my interest because it all looked wonky. After posting on Twitter it was highlighted as a phase transposition by @DiverTomJG

“The majority of double CCT lines are transposed by having different phasing on each CCT. Line transpositions are only really seen on the original 1930’s 132kV grid lines which were predominantly long distance single CCT.” @DiverTomJG

“This DC tower was built at a later date and is an addition to the original line. I would guess its addition was to increase the ground clearance to allow them to build the housing estate below.” @DiverTomJG

Tower POA143 – Great Denholm

This tower caught my eye because of the attachments. After posting on Twitter the attachments were identified as Optical Attached Cables (OPAC) by @Neil_Hardiman

I later stopped at Cut Throat Lane Switching Station, Bedford, on way home from work where you can see the OPACs terminating.

Incorporation of Optical Attached Cable and Conductors Carrying Optical Fibres into the Existing Overhead Line Network: Design and Construction

Installation of Fibre Optic Cable(s) on Steel Tower 132kV Circuits (including Fibre Wrap Method)

Cut Throat Lane Switching Station
Cut Throat Lane Switching Station

War Driving Device – Project Write Up

I have been using the Wigle Android app for a while now but wanted to build a Kali/Raspberry/Kismet device. I have a spare Raspberry Pi3B and GPS unit so just needed a battery pack and some USB WiFi dongles.

First attempts were recorded to USB memory stick but later replaced by configuring the device as an access point and using SSL to login and retrieve files.

First attempt, a learning curve, at a Kali/Raspberry/Kismet device.
First attempt, a learning curve, at a Kali/Raspberry/Kismet device.
Added a few more USB dongles. It’s not pretty but it is only a prototype.
Made it more compact and removed USB hub which was unstable.
Made it more compact and removed USB hub which was unstable.
Made it more compact and removed USB hub which was unstable.

Flight Cases – Project Write Up

I have replaced and combined the Radio Cabinet and the Radio Bag with flight cases.

The cabinet took up a lot of space and was near impossible to move around due to weight. I can now divide the equipment, and weight, up into several flight cases. Change is frequent and its now a lot easier to move the cases around and modify the configurations etc.

The current three sections are Mesh, Radio and Network. “Mesh” at the top has the AREDN Node and the Raspberry Pi Servers and the Mesh Mikrotik Router. “Radio” in the middle has the SIMOCO radios and the Yeasu FT-857D. “Network” at the bottom has the Main Mikrotik Router, the Dev Servers and the switches.

Front view of Radio Case
Rear view of Radio Case
Mic clip
Pis and Cables attached to the new tray
New MESH case now filled